The Museu do Oratório has an extraordinary collection (17C-20C) of oratories, cult objects that have been widespread in Brazil since colonial times. Whether popular or aristocratic, Indian, Afro-Brazilian or ecclesiastical, in a so-called "erudite" style or a more rustic style, they were placed at roadsides, on the façades of houses or inside them, and on boats. Be sure to see the oratório bala (with an ogival form, for mule drivers) which won the admiration of the French art historian Germain Bazin.