In 1776, it was born in Zambézia, precisely in the city of Quelimane, along the banks of the Bons Sinais River

In 1776, it was born in Zambézia, precisely in the city of Quelimane, along the banks of the Bons Sinais River, the one that today is considered the city’s material heritage due to its unique architecture and stories that surround it. We are talking about the Quelimane Old Cathedral, whose official name is Church of Our Lady of Livramento. In 1975, the site would be closed and was no longer a place for worship, under the ae- gis of Father Messias Lázaro de Carvalho, as it had reached the recommended time for its use.

Over the centuries, its architectural structure has succumbed and the walls are no longer as they were before. Still, its historical value goes far beyond a simple place of worship and the monument retains the fascination of the passage of time. The existence of graves inside the building makes the Quelimane Old Cathedral an attraction for tourists and enthusiasts from different corners of the world. Although there are no more services on site, today the Cathedral is being rehabilitated thanks to the joint effort of some
residents and friends from the Zambezian capital.

Text: Hermenegildo Langa
Photo: Mauro Pinto