“THE BEST SITE ON EARTH”: JESUIT’S SCHOOL AND CHURCH IN BELÉM DO GRÃO-PARÁ’S LANDSCAPE

Abstract

This article investigates the placement of Jesuit's Church and School in the colonial city of Belém. I analyze, from the archaeology of architecture’s perspective, how these buildings became elements in the landscape of power, within the oldest area of the city. The research is based both on the colonial period documentation as well as on the material aspects of this architectural complex. Maps and images demonstrate Belém’s spatial layout, focusing the relationship between the College and Church with the city. Another aspect concerns the discourses in the historical sources, taking in account the intention of the Jesuit priests in constructing a landscape of power within the oldest area of the state's capital in the former province of Grão-Pará.Key words: Archaeology of architecture, landscape, Jesuits.