Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Muxima

The Church of Our lady of Muxima (in Portuguese, Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Muxima) resides in the Bengo Province of Angola. A 16th Century Portuguese Colonial structure, the church was an important center in the slave trade at the time.^[1]

History

Standing on the left border of the Kwanza River, district of Muxirna, province of Bengo, this church is contemporanian of the Fortress of C`Muxima'7. The village of Muxirna was occupied by the portugueses in 1589 and ten years later (1599), the Fortress was founded and the church was built with a prayer invoking divine blessing from "Nossa Senhora da Muxirna". Muxima was an important empire of slaves traffic, protected by the Fortress, and the church played an important role in the materialization of the traffic, because it was in this religious local, where the slaves were baptized before being deported. It is spacious and strong building with a stern tipically portuguese architecture, built on the border of the Kwanza River. This popular sanctuary was spoiled and set on fire by the netherlanders in 1641, when they enclosed Muxima. Later, it was modified. The Sanctuary with the Virgin image has been a Center of great devotion from de christians, from generations in generations.It was classified as National Monument by Provincial Decret n. 2, 12 of January of 1924. It is relatively in good order and belongs to the Catholic Church. The responsibility for its maintenance and preservation concerns the Ministry of Culture.

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World Heritage Status

This site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on November 22nd, 1996 in the Cultural category.^[3]

Notes

1. ^ Valdez, F. T. (1861), Six Years of a Traveller's Life in Western Africa, Vol. II, Hurst and Blackett.
2. ^ Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceiçào da Muxima - UNESCO World Heritage Centre
3. ^ Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceiçào da Muxima - UNESCO World Heritage Centre

References

Valdez, F. T. (1861), Six Years of a Traveller's Life in Western Africa, Vol. II, Hurst and Blackett.

Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceiçào da Muxima - UNESCO World Heritage Centre