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Inaugurated in 1980, the huge temple, with a 100-m high tower and an area of 23,000 m², is the main attraction of the city. The temple has the shape of a cross and its architect was Benedito Calixto Filho. The tower contains an observation decks that provides nice views of the city, the Paraíba river, and surrounding region.
The Cathedral Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady Aparecida is a prominent Catholic basilica in Aparecida, Brazil. It is dedicated to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Aparecida, the principal patroness of Brazil. It is the largest cathedral in the world, and the second largest Catholic church by interior area and volume, after St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. As a cathedral, it is the seat of the Archdiocese of Aparecida.
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Unless you are part of a Catholic pilgrimage or you are very adventurous, you will hardly have the chance of visiting this XIX century church, in the middle of the rural area of the municipality and only accessible by dirt roads. The church is last remaining building of the Bonfim village, that disappeared with the decline of coffee farming, and is nowadays a stop point for pilgrims from other parts of the Paraíba valley.