Introduction
If you believe that a trip is much more than paradisiacal beaches, the Catarinense Mountains region, on the outskirts of Florianópolis, is the perfect destination for you. In addition to its preserved nature, this area hides religious gems that will inspire your spiritual journey. In this post, we will present the main religious attractions in each municipality, so that you can experience each of them during your visit.
Santo Amaro da Imperatriz
Let's start with Santo Amaro da Imperatriz, just 40 minutes from the capital. This municipality is not only known for its thermal waters; it also houses a rich religious heritage.
The history of Mother Church, for example, dates back to 1854, when it was founded with the purpose of establishing a vital commercial link between the coast and the mountainous region. Its imposing neo-Gothic architecture is something that impresses at first sight, leaving any visitor in awe. When entering the interior of the church, it is impossible not to be dazzled by the imperial chandeliers and the light paintings that contribute to a stunning decoration, creating an environment of serenity and peace.
It is in the Main Church that one of the city's most notable events comes to life, the famous Feast of the Divine. The imperial procession that culminates in the church is crowned by the emotional Coronation Mass. This is a moment of deep faith and devotion that will certainly touch the hearts of everyone present.
Location: R. Padre Isidoro Duarte, 20 – Center, Santo Amaro da Imperatriz
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday from 8am to 8pm and on Sundays from 7am to 8pm.
Ticket: Free
Another unmissable place to revitalize your energy is the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, located in the Rural Community of Varginha. This sacred space was blessed by the renowned Friar Hugolino Back, a Franciscan religious and renowned parapsychologist. Inside the cave, a central altar displays the beautiful images of Our Lady of Lourdes and Saint Bernadette. Surrounding the cave, a moving Way of the Cross invites you to walk through each station with devotion and reflection. In addition to its deep spiritual atmosphere, the cave offers a serene environment with a picturesque lagoon, a charming wooden dot and a richly decorated garden, providing places of peace and tranquility.
During the Christmas festivities period, the cave lights up with enchanting lights and decorations, becoming a highlight for all travelers traveling along the picturesque Estrada da Varginha.
Location: R. Nossa Senhora de Lourdes, Santo Amaro da Imperatriz
Opening Hours: Always open
Ticket: Free
Don't miss the opportunity to also explore the Convent of Espírito Santo – Friar Hugolino. Built in 1904, this precious architectural treasure is a guardian of the region's religious history. When visiting the site, you'll have the chance to explore a fascinating museum, a charming chapel, and the serene healing room. Through these spaces, it is possible to feel the unique atmosphere of this place that has witnessed countless stories over time.
Location: R. Tereza Cristina, 64 – Center – Santo Amaro da Imperatriz
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday from 12pm to 6pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 8am to 6pm
Ticket: Free
warm waters
Now, we move on to warm waters, which, like neighboring Santo Amaro da Imperatriz, is also a jewel of religious tourism.
You can start by visiting Mother Church of Águas Mornas. The church enchants with its stained glass windows, which come to life with sunlight, creating a spectacle of colors and shadows that instigates reflection and inner peace. In addition to this visual experience, the church houses an adjacent cemetery, a tribute to the various stages of life. In essence, the Igreja Matriz de Águas Mornas is a place of spiritual meeting and aesthetic admiration. A unique combination that invites both believers and architecture lovers to marvel at the beauty that transcends time.
Location: Av. Cel. Antônio Lehmkhul, 1036 – 1076, Águas Mornas
Opening Hours: Masses on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays (complete schedule always published on the official Instagram profile @ig.sagradocoracaodejesus)
Ticket: Free
Already the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, located in the Vargem Grande neighborhood, is one of the most visited places in the city. It houses small religious images and a majestic representation of Our Lady of Lourdes. This stop is essential for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the religiosity of Águas Mornas and drink the blessed water that flows from the rocks.
Location: BR-282, Águas Mornas
Opening Hours: Always open
Ticket: Free
Saint Peter of Alcantara
In Saint Peter of Alcantara, the oldest German colony in Santa Catarina, we find the magnificent Mother Church of São Pedro de Alcântara, one of the city's unmissable attractions. The Church houses a collection of meticulously carved sacred images. With a carved wooden altar and a majestic dome that rises to the heights, the church stands out as an architectural gem.
Strategically positioned on a hill, the church presents visitors with stunning views of the city. In addition to its aesthetics, the church plays a significant role as a historical landmark, having been solemnly inaugurated in 1929 during the Colony's Centenary celebrations. The courtyard adjacent to the church still serves as the final resting place of the dedicated parish priests who served the city over the years, lending an additional aura of significance and reverence to the place.
Location: R. João Pering, 254 – Centro, São Pedro de Alcântara
Opening Hours: Every day from 8am to 7pm
Ticket: Free
Don't miss the opportunity to also explore the Bom Jesus da Santa Cruz Sanctuary. The history of this place is captivating; Uncle Marco, a slave lost in the forests of Morro do Quilombo, made a promise that, if he managed to survive, he would erect a Holy Cross in honor of Senhor Bom Jesus. The sanctuary tells this story and much more, providing a historic and engaging visit.
Location: R. Antônio José Raulino, 6973, São Pedro de Alcântara
Opening Hours: Always open
Ticket: Free
angelina
angelina, with its lush landscapes, houses the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Sanctuary, attracting faithful from all over the country. This complex includes the Mother Church, the climb up the hill with the Stations of the Cross and the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, famous for the countless graces achieved.
A Mother Church is an architectural work that harmonizes traditional and contemporary elements to create an environment of faith and reflection. Its interior is adorned with intricate stained glass windows that filter sunlight, generating a serene and spiritual atmosphere.
For pilgrims looking for a more intense spiritual experience, just behind the Main Church, you can climb the hill that reveals a sequence of stations representing the Way of the Cross, a symbolic journey through the crucial moments of the Passion of Christ. The climb culminates in Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, a sacred space that echoes the homonymous cave in France and is revered for its accounts of graces and miracles achieved.
The Sanctuary at Angelina is more than just a place of worship; It is an encounter between the divine and exuberant nature. It is a space where faith is experienced through the imposing architecture, the Stations of the Cross and the aura of spirituality that surrounds the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Location: R. Frei Zeno, 194 – Angelina, SC, 88460-000
Opening Hours: Always open
Ticket: Free
Still in Angelina, you can't miss the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Saint Joseph. Immersed in breathtaking landscapes, it is the gateway to the stunning Colina da Louvação. Imagine yourself exploring this wonder, whether through the woods that surround it, or along the trails that reveal the deep connection between nature and faith. There you will also find the Congregation Historical Museum, where the past comes to life, telling stories of devotion and commitment.
It does not stop there! In the Congregation you will also find the Blumengartenhaus Guest House, and the Blumengarten Haus restaurant, which offers a delicious buffet and colonial coffee.
Location: Franciscan Sisters of Saint Joseph – Angelina
Opening Hours: every day from 7am to 8pm
Ticket: Free
Rancho Queimado
In Rancho Queimado, the charm lies not only in the climate reminiscent of Serra Catarinense, but also in the Church of Saint Boniface. Built by governor Hercílio Pedro da Luz in memory of his first wife, this church is a historical and cultural landmark in the middle of a breathtaking landscape.
Today the Church of Saint Boniface It is a meeting point for the Catholic community of Taquaras, with São Bonifácio as its patron saint. Furthermore, in the cemetery of this church rests Maria Amida Kammers, whose prematurely interrupted life gave rise to a story of devotion and miracles. His presence inspired countless people, including historian Toni Jochem, who set out to delve into the roots of this history, possibly paving the way for a future canonization process.
Location: Rua Paulo Sell, Estr. to Florianópolis, Rancho Queimado
Opening Hours: Always open
Ticket: Free
Still in Rancho Queimado, be sure to visit the ITaquaras Lutheran Church, a true jewel of architecture and spirituality. At the top of Morro de Navalhas, its imposing presence stands out, but it is its singular attribute that truly mesmerizes – a staircase that resembles a heart when viewed from the front, with a green carpet of grass at its feet. As you get closer, the panoramic view of Morro de Navalhas is also impressive, reminding us of the vastness of the world and the tranquility that faith can provide.
Location: Taquaras Lutheran Community – IECLB, Estrada Geral de Navalhas, R. Romanos Goedert, Rancho Queimado
Opening Hours: Always open
Ticket: Free
alfredo wagner
In alfredo wagner, the furthest point from Florianópolis, await the fascinating Poço Certo Caves It's from Riozinho, Besides the Bom Jesus Parish. These spaces, meticulously sculpted by nature and community unity, offer precious moments of contemplation and serenity, providing an intimate connection with the grandeur of the surrounding natural environment.
A Poço Certo Cave reveals a wide gap in an imposing rock wall, where a majestic 42 meter high waterfall falls gracefully. The entire scenery around you is embraced by trees and vegetation that emerge from the rock itself. This peaceful corner invites you to contemplate nature in its fullness.
Location: Lomba Alta, s/n – Rural Zone (near Chale Chartos da Serra), Alfredo Wagner
Opening Hours: Every day from 8am to 6pm.
Ticket: R$ 10 per person
A Riozinho Cave, in turn, is a vast rocky hall, located near the entrance to the cave, where a magnificent 25-meter-high waterfall creates an inviting well for an invigorating bath. The soft and melodious sound of the waterfall adds a touch of beauty and enigma to this place.
Location: Catuira (near Engenho's Pub), Alfredo Wagner Santa Catarina
Opening Hours: Every day from 8am to 6pm.
Ticket: free
Already the Bom Jesus Parish, It has a very interesting history, until the 1960s, devotees from the municipality of Alfredo Wagner crammed themselves into a small and unique chapel in the municipality. Thus, the benefactor Izidoro Cechetto, together with Friar Agatângelo, decided to build a church suitable for the high number of believers. The Frei revealed a church project in Irati, Paraná, which was not completed due to financial issues. The Alfredo Wagner community embraced the idea and, hand in hand, turned the project into reality. Construction began on July 12, 1960 and was completed on August 6, 1965, reflecting the unity of everyone, including children. Bom Jesus Parish transcends architecture; It is a living symbol of the strength of the community united by a purpose!
Location: SC-350, 608 – Alfredo Wagner, SC, 88450-000
Opening Hours: Masses every Saturday and Sunday at 6pm.
Ticket: free
Conclusion
At the end of this exciting journey through the Santa Catarina Mountains, it becomes clear that this region offers much more than just natural beauty. The religious jewelry present here will enrich the experience of your trip, providing moments of reflection, spiritual connection and immersion in the rich cultural and religious history of Santa Catarina.
So when planning your next adventure, consider exploring beyond the traditional beaches and mountains. Allow yourself to discover the spiritual riches that the Santa Catarina Mountains have to offer. Each location is an invitation to a unique experience of connection, reflection and contemplation. Whether you are a religious traveler or just someone looking for a moment of peace, this region offers a sacred refuge where the stories of the past meet the serenity of the present, creating a truly enriching experience.
