Igaracu Tourist Attractions

Igaraçu
Situation and Characteristics
39km/24mi north of Recife is Igaraçu (Igarassu), capital of Pernambuco state, one of the oldest settlements in the whole of Brazil. Its history goes back to a trading post established in 1530, before the foundation of Olinda. The town has a number of 16th and 17th century churches and old sugar-mills of the colonial period.
Bus station
Avenida Severino Uchoa

São Cosme e São Damião

São Cosme e São Damião
The town's principal church, São Cosme e São Damião (SS Cosmas and Damian), is aisleless and has a façade with a triangular pediment - two features characteristic of 16th century colonial church architecture. The church is depicted in paintings by Frans Post and Barlaeus, two artists who worked in Dutch Brazil.

Sao Goncalo do Amarante, Itapissuma, Brazil

In the commune of Itapissuma, 8km/5mi north of Igaraçu, is the church of São Gonçalo do Amarante (1795).

Convento de Santo Antônio Art Gallery

Convento de Santo Antìnio
Art Gallery
The Convento de Santo Antìnio, a Franciscan house of 1588, now houses the town's Art Gallery (Pinacoteca). Of particular interest are four pictures by an unknown master, formerly in the church of São Cosme e São Damião, depicting the arrival of the Portuguese, the building of the church, the miracle which prevented the Dutch from stripping the roof off the church, and the plague of 1685 which ravaged Recife, Olinda, Goiana and Itamaracá but was miraculously averted from Igaraçu by SS Cosmas and Damian.

São Sebastião

São Sebastião
On Praça Marechal Deodoro is the chapel of São Sebastião (1735).

Historical Museum

Historical Museum
On Largo de São Cosme e São Damião is the Historical Museum of Igaraçu, which displays weapons dating from the time of the Dutch invasion and works of religious art.

Convento do Sagrado Coração de Jesus

On Largo de São Cosme e São Damião is the Convento do Sagrado Coração de Jesus (1742).