Bonfim Church in Pirenópolis: history and current access

The Igreja de Nosso Senhor do Bonfim is the third of the old churches in Pirenópolis’s centre. According to the City Hall, construction began in 1750 and was completed in 1754, and the statue of Senhor do Bonfim (Our Lord of the Good End) was brought from Salvador, in the state of Bahia. It stands on Rua do Bonfim, in the area called Alto do Bonfim, one of the highest parts of the historic core.

History

The church is contemporary with the Carmo Church: both were built at the height of the gold era, when the Meia Ponte settlement was thriving. Devotion to Senhor do Bonfim, a strong tradition in Bahia, reached Goiás with the people and goods that circulated during the mining period.

The church is protected as part of Pirenópolis’s listed architectural and urban ensemble. We found no source for an individual listing of the building.

What to look for

The hilltop setting: the climb to the church shows how the settlement spread up the slopes from the Rio das Almas valley.
The houses along the way: Rua do Bonfim is lined with old buildings and makes a good extension of your walk through the historic centre.
The festival: the Festa do Senhor do Bonfim is part of the town’s religious calendar; in 2026, the City Hall listed it from 5 to 14 September.

How to fit it into your itinerary

Leave the Bonfim Church for the end of the church circuit, after the Mother Church and the Carmo Church. Nearby, also on Alto do Bonfim, is the Museu Rodas do Tempo — see ideas in Pirenópolis second visit.

Tip	Why
Walk up in the late afternoon	The light is better and the heat eases
Stop at the CAT first	It is on Rua do Bonfim and can tell you if the church is open
Walk down via Rua Direita	You finish near the Mother Church and Rua do Rosário

Visiting

When open, the church follows days and hours set by the local administration and published on the City Hall’s listing. Given the reported closure, treat any opening hours as provisional and confirm beforehand. For other indoor options, see Pirenópolis on rainy days.

Practical tips

Before walking up, check at the Tourist Information Centre (CAT) whether the church is open: it was closed off in May 2025.

Alto do Bonfim involves an uphill walk; wear comfortable shoes and avoid the strong early-afternoon sun.

Even if the church is closed, the views and the old houses along the way are worth the walk.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Bonfim Church open?

The church was closed off in May 2025, according to a press report, and we found no official confirmation of its reopening as of October 2026. Check its status at the CAT or with the parish before you go.

When is the Festa do Senhor do Bonfim?

The City Hall's 2026 cultural calendar lists the festival from 5 to 14 September. Dates change every year; consult the official calendar.

Igreja de Nosso Senhor do Bonfim (Bonfim Church)