Aleijadinho's Curse — Uncover the Prophet's Secret

Your investigation begins at the Adro dos Profetas in Congonhas, the esplanade where the twelve monumental statues of the Prophets stand. Sculpted by Aleijadinho between 1800 and 1805, these 4 to 6-meter-high figures, carved from local stone, are the heart of the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, and the others, all UNESCO 1985 listed, seem to watch you. Their tormented expressions and theatrical gestures, created while Aleijadinho worked despite severe arthritis, using tools attached to his arms, hold clues to the vision of this master of Baroque mineiro. Observe every detail, for the first secret is etched there, waiting to be revealed by augmented reality.

Continue towards the Basílica do Senhor Bom Jesus de Matosinhos, a Baroque edifice built between 1757 and 1770 by Aleijadinho and Feliciano Mendes. This church, also a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a centerpiece of Brazil's Sudeste. Its facade is adorned with soapstone sculptures depicting the Twelve Prophets, echoing the statues in the Adro. The 32-meter-high bell tower stands as a beacon in the landscape of Congonhas. As an archivist, you will seek out the marks of time and the architectural symbols that link Aleijadinho's work to the devotion of Felisberto Gomes Caldeira, the sanctuary's initial donor in 1757.

Your journey then takes you to the Capelas das Passões, six small chapels built by Aleijadinho between 1790 and 1796. Each chapel illustrates an episode of the Passion of Christ, housing 6 to 7 life-size polychrome cedar wood statues. The Capela da Ceia, for example, depicts the Last Supper with 13 striking figures. These works were restored by IPHAN in the 1930s-1940s. It is here, in the intimacy of these dramatic scenes, that crucial information about Aleijadinho's life and motivations unfolds. The characters' expressions, often interpreted as hidden self-portraits of the artist, are keys to your investigation into Congonhas' heritage.

The Capela do Getsêmani and the Capela da Crucificação, two other Passion chapels, immerse you in Christ's agony in the garden and the final moment on the cross. These sculptures, of rare intensity, demonstrate Aleijadinho's mastery in conveying emotion through wood. The Santuário do Bom Jesus de Matosinhos, an architectural complex initiated by Felisberto Gomes Caldeira's donation, is a perfect illustration of Baroque mineiro. Every site within the sanctuary, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list on December 6, 1985, contributes to the rich historical and artistic heritage of Congonhas. Your augmented reality will allow you to see details invisible to the naked eye and understand the connections between the different scenes.

Finally, your journey will take you through the Largo da Basílica, Congonhas' main square, paved and surrounded by 18th-century colonial buildings. This nerve center for annual religious processions since 1802, will offer you a perspective on the entire Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos. Your investigation will culminate in an understanding of Aleijadinho's impact on the Sudeste's heritage. As an archivist, you will have unraveled the mysteries of his works, not only as art but also as a testament to an era. You will take with you not only the secrets of the prophets but also a renewed vision of Brazilian Baroque art and the history of Congonhas.