This striking modernist concrete church, designed by Portuguese architect Nuno Craveiro Lopes (1921–1972), was completed in 1962. Known locally as the “lemon squeezer” or inverted flower, it stands as one of Mozambique’s most iconic mid-20th‑century religious buildings. It remains an active parish and a key landmark in Maputo’s Polana suburb.
Perched in Maputo’s leafy Polana district, the Church of Saint Anthony of Polana asserts itself with a sculptural, flower-like concrete canopy—an audacious emblem of architectural ambition during late-colonial Mozambique. Rejecting both colonial revivalism and conservative ecclesiastical architecture, Nuno Craveiro Lopes introduced a pioneering Brazilian-influenced modernism with structural daring: a shell roof that folds outward from a slender central apex supported on sixteen legs.
This expressive form encloses a circular interior suffused in multi-colored light filtering through stained glazing, emphasizing communal worship. The space, originally intended for a centrally placed altar, typifies mid-century liturgical reform and participatory engagement. The interplay of smooth concrete and vibrant light creates a serene yet dynamic atmosphere.
Politically, the church symbolizes a moment of cultural assertion: just before Mozambique’s independence, it broke from “Portuguese Suave” colonial aesthetics and embraced a forward-looking architectural identity. Restorations in ‘92 and later have helped sustain both its structural integrity and symbolic power. Today, the church remains a functional place of worship, a cherished local landmark, and a monument to Maputo’s architectural heritage.
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Sources: Wikipedia, Hidden Architecture & C20 Society, HPIP Heritage Catalog, Architectuul / InsideInside.
