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The terracotta image of Our Lady of Aparecida, declared by the Roman Catholic Church as "Patroness of Brazil" and one of the main symbols of the Catholic faith in the entire country, was found decapitated in a river in 1717. Studies have shown that it was likely crafted by Frei Agostinho de Jesus in the 17th century. The characteristic crown and blue cap of the image was given by Princess Isabel of Brazil in 1888.
Basílica Nova, Santuário Nacional de Nossa Conceição Aparecida
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.
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.