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In the early 1700's  Mr Agostinho built what is considered the first chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Nazareth, where the image was first found by Mr Placido. In 1799 The governor of the Province Mr Francisco Coutinho decided to build a larger church, because the chapel was already considered "small" to receive the pilgrims from various places in the state for the feast, besides, the city had grown, then in 1852 construction began and was finished in 1881.

In the begining of the 20th century, again the church was considered too small because the procession had also grown and another church began to be built by priest Luiz Zoia.The construction began in 1909. The design of this new church was conducted by Italian Prist Afonso Di Giorgio and it is based on the Saint Paul Basilica Design located in Rome.

The Basilica measures 62 m lenght, 24 m Wide and 20 m High. The 2 towers reach up to 42 m high..

The Basilica has 9 bells and the large one measures 1.80 m and weights over 2 tons.

In July 1923 by a Decree of the Holy See, the Church was declared  to be a Basilica.

Based on the Book " Igrejas de Belém " by Historian Ernesto Cruz.