Expert professionals from the Institute of National Historical and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN) held, on Thursday (6), mapping and evaluation of damage, with scanning, in the structure of the Historical Church of São Francisco de Assis. Yesterday (5), the tourist of São Paulo Giulia Panchoni Righetto, 26, died after collapse of part of the temple ceiling. Another five people were injured.
The Ministry of Culture reported that there will be dismissal of bidding for the temple emergency works, located in the historic center of the Bahian capital, to be carried out. The holder of the portfolio, Margareth Menezes, has again expressed regret for the death of the girl and ensured that the church will be restored.
The government argued that IPHAN has been acting to preserve the good and exemplified that the restoration of Portuguese tile panels was completed in May 2023. Also, according to the Institute, the elaboration of the building’s restoration project is underway.
The ministry and IPHAN added that they await the conclusion of the inquiry into the collapse of the ceiling “to adopt appropriate measures”.
Salvador (BA), 02/06/2025 – Minister of Culture Margareth Menezes visits St. Franscisco de Assis Church in Pelourinho, which had the ceiling collapsed. Photo: Maiara Cerqueira/Minc – Maiara Cerqueira/MinC
Interdictions
Properties that are at risk similar to that of the São Francisco de Assis Church will be charged and banned from next week. The information was released, this Thursday (6), by the President of the Institute of National Historical and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN), Leandro Grass.
According to the Ministry of Culture, an action will be carried out to identify these buildings. Grass explained that goods will be evaluated in which medium or high risk are detected with the support of the civilian defenses of the State and the Municipality, there may be intervention in these properties. “In particular, monuments in these public spaces, type museums, theaters, churches. And whatever is at risk, we will guide the interdiction and treatment, ”he explained.
Secular construction
The church in which there was the accident is a colonial baroque construction, dated between the 17th and 18th centuries. The ceiling is adorned with gold and religious paintings. Therefore, the temple became known as the “Golden Church.” The building is recognized as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO).
The Ministry of Culture stressed that the Church and Convent of San Francisco are considered one of the “Seven Wonders of Portuguese Origin” in the world. Both are listed by the Institute of National Historical and Artistic Heritage.
