Marechal Deodoro Tourist Attractions
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21km/13mi south-west of Maceió, on the Manguaba lagoon, is the town of Marechal Deodoro, former capital of Alagoas and birthplace of Marechal Deodoro da Fonseca, who proclaimed the Republic in 1889 and became first President of Brazil. It has preserved a number of 17th and 18th century buildings.In Marechal Deodoro are the ruined churches of Nossa Senhora do Amparo (1757), the Carmelite convent (1834) and Nossa Senhora do Rosário (1834).
São Francisco
São FranciscoThe convent of São Francisco (1684-89) is now occupied by the Museum of Sacred Art of Alagoas, as the little town was formerly called. The limestone façade, with sculptural decoration, dates only from the late 18th century. The most notable feature of the interior is the choir chapel, with carving on the high altar and ceiling paintings by José Elói, a leading artist of colonial Brazil, who also created an image of St Clare on leather strips in the church of São Francisco.
Beaches
BeachesIn addition to the Praia do Francàs there are good beaches at Saco da Pedra and Bica da Pedra, both reached only by boat.
Nossa Senhora da Conceição
N.S. da ConceiçãoThe church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, with a Baroque façade, was built in 1755. It contains a number of fine statues.
Pelourinho
PelourinhoA fine example of colonial architecture is Largo do Pelourinho (Pillory Square), with the Forca Oratory, in which condemned men said their last prayer.
Senhora do Bonfim
Senhor do BonfimThe church of the Senhor do Bonfim in the Taperaguá district dates from the 17th century.
Birthplace of Deodoro da Fonseca
Birthplace of Deodoro da FonsecaThe colonial-style house in which Deodoro da Fonseca was born is now a museum, displaying family photographs and reproductions of furniture which belonged to the Marshal; the originals are in the Military Museum in Rio de Janeiro.
