Church in downtown Rio has a high risk of fire, warns IPHAN

The National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (Iphan) warned, through a letter dated the 16th, that the Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte do Carmo, founded in 1750, in Praça XV, formerly Largo do Paço, is at imminent risk of fire, in addition to being on the brink of structural collapse. Crack in the facade of the church at Praça XV, in Rio de Janeiro. – Tânia Rêgo/Agência Brasil The document was sent to the Civil Defense of the State, to the Fire Department of Rio and to Ordem Terceira do Carmo, owner of the property. The purpose of the letter is to request immediate inspections by the competent bodies at the state and municipal levels. Structural problems According to IPHAN’s inspection and inspection report, from October last year, there are cracks in the façade that cross the church in a vertical plane parallel to the façade, whose causes must be investigated. “The cracks would be stabilized; however, there are no documents attesting to the causes, describing in detail the extent and characteristics of the cracks, nor reports stating that they are in fact stabilized.” Iphan also detected leaks, obsolete light fixtures, improvised electrical installations, lack of fire detection and firefighting equipment, collections in poor condition and signs of termite infestation, as well as general problems of conservation inside and outside and cracks and cracks in the façade, which is isolated by iron bars. Damaged part of the façade of the 1750 building – Tânia Rêgo/Agência Brasil The inspector Catherine Gallois, from IPHAN, who signs the reports, described the state of the property as “terrible”. The cracks extend and threaten the neighboring Church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo da Antiga Sé, which was completely renovated and belongs to the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro Listing Stone facade of the Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte do Carmo – Tânia Rêgo/Agência Brasil inspections in the church, which is cultural, architectural and religious heritage. The report indicates advanced deterioration with significant damage to the materiality of the church. The building is unhealthy and does not have a fire prevention and firefighting project approved by the Fire Department. Recognized by Iphan since 1938 as cultural heritage, the architectural complex of the Igreja da Ordem Terceira de Nossa Senhora do Carmo is considered one of the most important religious monuments in second half of the 18th century, being the only colonial church that has a front completely covered in stone. Ordem Terceira do Carmo The Secretary General of the Ordem Terceira do Carmo, Armindo Diniz, reported the sending of a response referring to the letter received by IPHAN. He informed that the Order is aware of the situation in which the church finds itself and that all possible and appropriate measures are being taken. Diniz also pointed out that the property has been closed and with the power cut off at the request of the Order, since the end of 2019, “making the risk of fire impossible”. According to him, properties belonging to the Order were put up for sale and the proceeds will be entirely dedicated to the restoration of the church. However, the sale still depends on an authorization from the Archdiocese to be formalized. Firefighters and Civil Defense The Civil Defense reported that it received a letter from the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (Iphan) about the risk of fire at the Church of the Third Order of Nossa Senhora do Carmo, in downtown Rio de Janeiro. Iphan requested action on the church’s structural damage from the Fire Department and Civil Defense – Tânia Rêgo/Agência Brasil According to the note, the corporation has already notified the building to be regularized with the Fire Department. The body emphasizes that, for this, the legal representatives of the place need to continue the regularization process, through the issuance of the Requirements Report and, later, the Certificate of Approval. The reports, letters and photographic reports can be accessed in the Electronic Information System (SEI). The case number is 01500.002229/2022-24. *Intern under the supervision of Akemi Nitahara

Agência Brasil