Santo Antônio, Recife

Santo Antônio, an island attached to the mainland by a bridge, is noted for its buildings and architecture.

Related Attractions

Convento Santo Antônio

In Rua do Imperador are the church and Franciscan friary of Santo Antônio (1606).

Capela Dourada

The Capela Dourada ("Golden Chapel") of the Third Order was completed in 1695, but work on the interior continued into the 18th century. The gilded carving of palisander and cedar wood is among the finest in the country. The ceiling and walls of the chapel have paintings on both religious and secular themes. Adjoining the chapel is the Museum of Sacred Art.

Santíssimo Sacramento

A short distance south, in Praça da Independància, is the Igreja do Santíssimo Sacramento (1753-91), the parish church of the Santo Antônio district. The altars show both Baroque and neo-classical features.

Nossa Senhora da Conceição dos Militares

N.S. da Conceição dos Militares

To the west of the Santíssimo Sacramento, in Rua Nova, is the Baroque church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição dos Militares. The church itself was completed in the early 18th century, but the interior decoration, with its paintings and gilded carving, took until 1771. The spacious nave is aisleless. On the ceiling, framed in superb carving, is an image of the Virgin (1781) by an unknown artist. The magnificent ceiling painting in the choir, with dozens of figures, depicts the first battle of Guararapes; it is attributed to João de Deus Sepúlveda, the leading painter in Pernambuco in the 18th century.

Nossa Sehora do Carmo

N.S. do Carmo

On Avenida Santas Barreto are the church and convent of Nossa Senhora do Carmo, their façades proclaiming the dominance of the Baroque. The church was burned down by the Dutch but restored from 1663 onwards; but the work was not completed until 1761, and this is reflected in the different styles of the retablos over the altars. The Renaissance doorway of the choir chapel has preserved its original design.

Palácio das Princesas

The Palácio das Princesas, at the junction of the Capibaribe and Beberibe, is the headquarters of the state government of Pernambuco. To the south-west, on the banks of the Capibaribe, is the Teatro Santa Isabel.