Igreja do Santo Antonio Alem do Carmo (Church of St. Anthony), Salvador

Legend has it that the Church of Saint Anthony Beyond the Carmo was founded in 1594 in honor of, you guessed it, Saint Anthony. What started as a humble chapel grew through expansions, survived Dutch invasions, and stood tall as a symbol of Portuguese resistance. The story goes that Father Antônio Vieira, in an attempt to prevent Dutch troops from taking Salvador, took to the pulpit of this church to preach his famous “At the Edge of the Trenches” sermon, helping defend the city for 40 days against Nassau’s forces.

The church is practically always open, thanks to Saint Anthony’s popularity—he’s not just the protector of the poor, but also the go-to saint for lonely hearts and single folks (yep, he’s the patron saint of marriage). Oh, and if you’ve misplaced anything valuable, he’s got you covered there too. Talk about a multi-tasker!

Inside, you’ll find scagliola (a decorative technique that mimics the appearance of marble), neoclassical woodwork, and a façade that screams Rococo style.

The experience is unforgettable, especially at sunset when the sky puts on a show.