Olinda Attractions
Olinda
Olinda (protected as a national monument and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site), 7km/4.3mi north of Recife, was the first capital of Pernambuco.
Olinda (protected as a national monument and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site), 7km/4.3mi north of Recife, was the first capital of Pernambuco.
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São Bento
The Monastery of Sao Bento is located on Rua Sao Bento, in close proximity to the Governor's Palace. The Church features an impressive choir chapel as well as notable works of scuplture by various carvers and sculptors.
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São Francisco (Nossa Senhora das Neves)
The friary of São Francisco and the church of Nossa Senhora das Neves both date to the 16th C and are known for their tiles and ceiling paintings.
Alto da Sé
Beyond the Cathedral, on the Alto da Sé (Cathedral Hill), are a number of interesting buildings: the Seminary (1549); the church of the Misericórdia (1540; restored 1654), which has fine gilded carving and pictures; the church of the Imaculada Conceição (Immaculate Conception; 1569); and the former Bishop's Palace, now housing the Pernambuco Museum of Sacred Art.
Cathedral
Above Largo São Francisco is the Cathedral (1537), with a number of fine paintings by unknown masters, some dating from the 17th century.
Museum of Contemporary Art
Museum of Contemporary Art
In Rua 13 de Maio, north-west of the Cathedral, is the Museu de Arte Contemporânea, housed in the old prison, the 18th century chapel of São Pedro ad Vincula.
In Rua 13 de Maio, north-west of the Cathedral, is the Museu de Arte Contemporânea, housed in the old prison, the 18th century chapel of São Pedro ad Vincula.
Nossa Senhora do Carmo
On Praça do Carmo, near the seafront, is the church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo, built in 1581, burned down by the Dutch in 1631 and restored in 1720. Of the original building there survive only the 16th century altar and the Renaissance doorway on the west front.
São João Batista dos Militares
São João Batista dos Militares
In Rua da Saudade is the church of São João dos Militares (1580), the only church in Olinda which escaped destruction by the Dutch in the 17th century.
In Rua da Saudade is the church of São João dos Militares (1580), the only church in Olinda which escaped destruction by the Dutch in the 17th century.
São Roque
São Roque
Also on Largo de São Francisco is the chapel of São Roque (1811), which contains fine carving and Portuguese tile pictures.
Also on Largo de São Francisco is the chapel of São Roque (1811), which contains fine carving and Portuguese tile pictures.
Bom Jesus do Bonfim
Bom Jesus
do Bonfim
Above Praça do Carmo, in Rua do Bonfim, is the 17th century church of Bom Jesus do Bonfim.
do Bonfim
Above Praça do Carmo, in Rua do Bonfim, is the 17th century church of Bom Jesus do Bonfim.
Nossa Senhora da Graça
N.S. da Graça
On higher ground is the church of Nossa Senhora da Graça, designed by the Jesuit Francisco Dias and built from 1580 onwards. In a picture by the Dutch painter Frans Post the ruined church is shown as it appeared after being burned down by the Dutch in 1631.
On higher ground is the church of Nossa Senhora da Graça, designed by the Jesuit Francisco Dias and built from 1580 onwards. In a picture by the Dutch painter Frans Post the ruined church is shown as it appeared after being burned down by the Dutch in 1631.
Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe dos Pardos
N.S. de Guadalupe dos Pardos
On Praça Miguel Canuto is the church of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe dos Pardos (1626).
On Praça Miguel Canuto is the church of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe dos Pardos (1626).
Nossa Senhora do Monte
N.S. do Monte
To the north of the Museum of Sacred Art, dominating the town, is the late 16th century church of Nossa Senhora do Monte.
To the north of the Museum of Sacred Art, dominating the town, is the late 16th century church of Nossa Senhora do Monte.
Regional Museum
The Regional Museum (furniture, sacred art) is in Rua do Amparo, which also has a number of sobrados (two-story houses of the colonial period) in a style which shows Moorish influence.
Ribeira Market
Ribeira Market
The Ribeira Market (craft shops) occupies a 17th century building in Rua Bernardo Vieira de Melo, a little way south-east of the Museum of Contemporary Art.
The Ribeira Market (craft shops) occupies a 17th century building in Rua Bernardo Vieira de Melo, a little way south-east of the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Rua dos 4 Cantos
Rua dos 4 Cantos
Rua 13 de Maio runs into Rua dos 4 Cantos, the traditional meeting-place of Olinda's carnival clubs. In this street is the sculpture "Senhor Atado" ("Christ in Chains"), one of a series of Stations of the Cross dating from 1773. Other stations are the "Senhor Carregando a Cruz" ("Christ Carrying the Cross") in Rua Bernardo Vieira de Melo, the "Senhor Apresentado ao Povo do Castelanho" ("Christ Presented to the People of Castelanho") in Rua 27 de Janeiro and "Nossa Senhora com Jesus" ("Mary with Jesus") on Largo do Amparo.
In 1809 an additional sculpture, the "Senhor dos Montes das Oliveiras" ("Christ on the Mount of Olives"), was set up on the Alto da Sé.
Rua 13 de Maio runs into Rua dos 4 Cantos, the traditional meeting-place of Olinda's carnival clubs. In this street is the sculpture "Senhor Atado" ("Christ in Chains"), one of a series of Stations of the Cross dating from 1773. Other stations are the "Senhor Carregando a Cruz" ("Christ Carrying the Cross") in Rua Bernardo Vieira de Melo, the "Senhor Apresentado ao Povo do Castelanho" ("Christ Presented to the People of Castelanho") in Rua 27 de Janeiro and "Nossa Senhora com Jesus" ("Mary with Jesus") on Largo do Amparo.
In 1809 an additional sculpture, the "Senhor dos Montes das Oliveiras" ("Christ on the Mount of Olives"), was set up on the Alto da Sé.
Olinda Surroundings
Maria Farinha
Maria Farinha
The picturesque beach of Maria Farinha lies near expanses of untouched mangrove swamp and sandbanks through which run navigable channels. Here there are facilities for water-skiing, wind-surfing and other water sports; also sightseeing flights in an ultra-light aircraft.
The picturesque beach of Maria Farinha lies near expanses of untouched mangrove swamp and sandbanks through which run navigable channels. Here there are facilities for water-skiing, wind-surfing and other water sports; also sightseeing flights in an ultra-light aircraft.
Pau Amarela
Pau Amarelo
On the Praia do Pau Amarelo is a fort built in 1719 on the spot where the Dutch landed in 1630.
On the Praia do Pau Amarelo is a fort built in 1719 on the spot where the Dutch landed in 1630.
Beaches
Beaches
On the north side of the town are the beaches of Milagres (within the town), Carmo, São Francisco, Bairro Novo, Casa Caiada and Rio Doce (6km/4mi). On the Praia de São Francisco is the 16th century Fort São Francisco. Casa Caiada (4km/2.5mi away), enclosed by artificial reefs, offers facilities for all kinds of water sports.
On the north side of the town are the beaches of Milagres (within the town), Carmo, São Francisco, Bairro Novo, Casa Caiada and Rio Doce (6km/4mi). On the Praia de São Francisco is the 16th century Fort São Francisco. Casa Caiada (4km/2.5mi away), enclosed by artificial reefs, offers facilities for all kinds of water sports.
Itamaracá
Itamaracá
45km/28mi north of Olinda is Itamaracá. It can be reached by road or on a small steamer (about 40 passengers), departing from the Quatro Rodas Hotel and sailing past the beaches mentioned above; a stop is made at the enchanting island of Coroa de Avião for bathing. The trip takes 1.5 hours.
45km/28mi north of Olinda is Itamaracá. It can be reached by road or on a small steamer (about 40 passengers), departing from the Quatro Rodas Hotel and sailing past the beaches mentioned above; a stop is made at the enchanting island of Coroa de Avião for bathing. The trip takes 1.5 hours.
Paulista, Brazil
Paulista
In the commune of Paulista are a number of very popular beaches: Janga (8km/5mi from Olinda), Nossa Senhora do ó (13km/8mi), Pau Amarelo (14km/8.7mi) and Maria Farinha (22km/13.6mi).
In the commune of Paulista are a number of very popular beaches: Janga (8km/5mi from Olinda), Nossa Senhora do ó (13km/8mi), Pau Amarelo (14km/8.7mi) and Maria Farinha (22km/13.6mi).
Attractions in Other Popular Destinations
