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Church of São José
Right behind the Forte, you will find the Hospital, a former Franciscan monastery, with its church Igreja de São José. Constructed in the beginning of the 18th century on the site of smaller chapel from the 16th century, this triple-naved church is the largest sacral edifice in the archipelago. The rather plain, yet imposing façade conceals a richly adorned interior, with fresco-painted vaults, four magnificent gilded wood-carved side altars, a sanctuary covered with beautiful blue and white glazed azulejos, interesting paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries showing Hispanic-Mexican influences and Baroque jacaranda furniture in the vestry. Adjoining to the left stands the chapel Nossa Senhora das Dores, which was added later and is a perfect example of Baroque architecture on the Azores.
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