Igreja de Sao Jose (Church of St. Joseph), Ponta Delgada

The Church of St. Joseph boasts a rich history dating back to the 16th century, when the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição graced the land, belonging to the Monastery of the Order of Saint Francis. The 16th-century structure, completed in 1544, featured an imposing facade centered around a striking portal and offered an interior with three naves, adorned with painted arches and gilded woodwork embellishing the altars.

This space was reimagined in the 18th century to host the Franciscan order in Ponta Delgada, resulting in the present-day Mannerist façade and a Baroque-dominant interior adorned with resplendent gilded carvings and tiled walls in the main altar.

Within this church's graceful walls reside an array of statues reflecting Spanish-Mexican influences. The sacristy is distinguished by its magnificent baroque rosewood furniture, a testament to the fine craftsmanship of that era. To the right of the Church, the Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Dores stands, acclaimed for its windows representing an exemplary display of São Miguel's Baroque style.