Olinda - São Bento

Farther north-west is the Benedictine monastery of São Bento (1582). Its choir chapel is one of the finest in the whole of Brazil. On the ceiling of the sacristy are painted scenes from the life of St Benedict (probably 1785) by José Elói, a leading painter of the colonial period, who is also credited with the large altarpiece of Nossa Senhora da Piedade (Our Lady of Compassion) in the sacristy.

Notable works of sculpture in the monastery include the "Menino Jesus de Olinda" ("Infant Jesus of Olinda") by the monk Agostinho da Piedade (c. 1640) and two masterpieces by the Benedictine carver and sculptor Domingos da Conceição, "O Senhor Morto" ("The Dead Christ"; 1679) and "O Senhor Crucificado" ("Christ on the Cross"; 1688).

The monastery is in Rua São Bento. In the same street is the Governor's Palace (Palácio dos Governadores).