[2][3] Construction on Casa Pia and College of the Orphans of Saint Joachim began in the early 18th century by the Society of Jesus.

A college, chapel, and water catchment facility on the slope were constructed starting in 1709; a Frenchman, Charles Bellaville, designed the complex.

[3] Conde de Palma, governor of Bahia, petitioned John VI of Portugal in 1818 to donate the building for the construction of an orphanage.

José Teófilo de Jesus (1758-1847) completed a painting on the ceiling of the chapel in 1826 depicting the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary.

[3] Casa Pia and College of the Orphans of Saint Joachim have numerous features of Jesuit architecture of Bahia of the 18th century.

Separately, the plan and facade are modeled on the parish (matriz) and brotherhood churches of the early eighteenth century.