Sao Luis Attractions
São Luís
São Luís, capital of Maranhão, was founded in 1812 on the island of São Luís in São Marcos Bay. It lies 806km/501mi south-east of Belém and 446km/277mi north-west of Teresima.
São Luís, capital of Maranhão, was founded in 1812 on the island of São Luís in São Marcos Bay. It lies 806km/501mi south-east of Belém and 446km/277mi north-west of Teresima.
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Old Town
Old Town
There is little in São Luís to recall the time of the French colony: the narrow streets and high azulejo-clad houses are typically Portuguese. In the historic core of the town, an area of 107,000sq.m/128,000sq.yds now protected as a national monument, Portuguese influence is still more evident. Some houses have balconies with wrought-iron balustrades, roof terraces and galleries with venetian blinds to keep out the heat.
There is little in São Luís to recall the time of the French colony: the narrow streets and high azulejo-clad houses are typically Portuguese. In the historic core of the town, an area of 107,000sq.m/128,000sq.yds now protected as a national monument, Portuguese influence is still more evident. Some houses have balconies with wrought-iron balustrades, roof terraces and galleries with venetian blinds to keep out the heat.
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Beaches
Some of the most popular beaches around São Luís are Praia do Calhau, Ponte da Areia, São Marcos, and the beautiful Praia de Araçaji.
Beco da Catarina Mina
Beco da Catarina Mina
A flight of steps between Rua Portugal and Rua Djalma Dutra is called the Beco da Catarina Mina in memory of the pretty negress of that name, a freed slave who won the hearts of the social elite and herself became mistress of land and slaves.
A flight of steps between Rua Portugal and Rua Djalma Dutra is called the Beco da Catarina Mina in memory of the pretty negress of that name, a freed slave who won the hearts of the social elite and herself became mistress of land and slaves.
Cafua das Mercês
Cafua das Mercês
South of Praia Grande are other interesting buildings. In Rua Jacinto Maia is the Cafua das Mercês, the old slave market, now occupied by the Museu do Negro.
South of Praia Grande are other interesting buildings. In Rua Jacinto Maia is the Cafua das Mercês, the old slave market, now occupied by the Museu do Negro.
Cais da Sagração
A good starting-point for a walk through the old town is the Cais da Sagração, the harbor quay adjoining the Largo do Palácio at which the ships exporting sugar and cotton used to moor.
Cathedral
Cathedral
The Cathedral (Sé) built by the Jesuits in 1726 stands in Praça Dom Pedro II, adjoining the Archbishop's Palace. It became the Cathedral only in 1763, after the expulsion of the Jesuits.
The Cathedral (Sé) built by the Jesuits in 1726 stands in Praça Dom Pedro II, adjoining the Archbishop's Palace. It became the Cathedral only in 1763, after the expulsion of the Jesuits.
Fonte do Ribeirão
Fonte do Ribeirão
The Fonte do Ribeirão (1796) in Rua dos Afogados (Largo do Ribeirão) has three iron gates giving access to underground passages which serve to carry off waste water and rainwater. It used to be thought that the passages were designed to link the various churches with one another.
The Fonte do Ribeirão (1796) in Rua dos Afogados (Largo do Ribeirão) has three iron gates giving access to underground passages which serve to carry off waste water and rainwater. It used to be thought that the passages were designed to link the various churches with one another.
Igreja do Carmo
Igreja do Carmo
The Igreja do Carmo (1627) on Praça João Lisboa is one of the oldest churches in the city.
The Igreja do Carmo (1627) on Praça João Lisboa is one of the oldest churches in the city.
Markets
Markets
In the markets of São Luís visitors can buy lace, nets made of buriti and babassu palm fibres and other craft products typical of Maranhão. In Avenida Dom Pedro II, Rua do Sol and Rua São Pantaleão - in which is the church of São Pantaleão (1780-1817) - also a number of craft shops.
In the markets of São Luís visitors can buy lace, nets made of buriti and babassu palm fibres and other craft products typical of Maranhão. In Avenida Dom Pedro II, Rua do Sol and Rua São Pantaleão - in which is the church of São Pantaleão (1780-1817) - also a number of craft shops.
Museum of Visual Arts
Museum of Visual Arts
In Rua Portugal (in the old town) is the Museum of the Visual Arts (Museu de Artes Visuais), with works by Maranhão artists and European azulejos of the 19th and 20th centuries.
In Rua Portugal (in the old town) is the Museum of the Visual Arts (Museu de Artes Visuais), with works by Maranhão artists and European azulejos of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Palácio La Ravardière
Palácio La Ravardière
Beyond the Palácio dos Leões is the Palácio La Ravardière, formerly occupied by the Town Hall and Gaol, now by the Prefecture.
Beyond the Palácio dos Leões is the Palácio La Ravardière, formerly occupied by the Town Hall and Gaol, now by the Prefecture.
Palácio dos Leões
A short distance away, on Avenida Dom Pedro II, is the Palácio dos Leões ("Palace of the Lions"), now occupied by the state government and the State Art Gallery. The site was once occupied by a fort which until 1615 protected the capital of France Equinoxiale.
River Trips
River trips
An interesting, though arduous, experience is a trip in a catamaran on the rivers Anil and Bacanga, which flow through the town.
The Governador Sarney Bridge over the Anil provides a link between the city center and the elegant residential districts on the coast.
An interesting, though arduous, experience is a trip in a catamaran on the rivers Anil and Bacanga, which flow through the town.
The Governador Sarney Bridge over the Anil provides a link between the city center and the elegant residential districts on the coast.
Teatro Arthur Azevedo
Teatro Arthur Azevedo
The Teatro Arthur Azevedo (1815-17) in Rua do Sol was the first theatre to be built in the capital of any Brazilian state.
The Teatro Arthur Azevedo (1815-17) in Rua do Sol was the first theatre to be built in the capital of any Brazilian state.
Alumar Aluminium Plant
Alumar
On the outskirts of São Luís is the Alumar aluminium plant, one of the largest in the world, to which a seemingly endless succession of trains bring bauxite from the Serra dos Carajás (Pará state). There are conducted visits of the plant on Saturdays (tel. 216 1155).
On the outskirts of São Luís is the Alumar aluminium plant, one of the largest in the world, to which a seemingly endless succession of trains bring bauxite from the Serra dos Carajás (Pará state). There are conducted visits of the plant on Saturdays (tel. 216 1155).
Events
A number of popular festivals are celebrated in São Luís. Some of them are of African origin, for example the Tambor de Crioula in June and the Tambor de Mina, dedicated to St Sebastian, in July; others have Portuguese roots.
Igreja do Desterro
Igreja do Desterro
The Igreja do Desterro (Church of Exile; 1618-41), stands in the square of that name.
The Igreja do Desterro (Church of Exile; 1618-41), stands in the square of that name.
Museum of Folk Art
Museum of Folk Art
The Museum of Folk Art (Museu de Arte Popular), which is also a center of folk culture, is in Rua 28 de Julho. In the same street are a number of houses decorated with Portuguese azulejos.
The Museum of Folk Art (Museu de Arte Popular), which is also a center of folk culture, is in Rua 28 de Julho. In the same street are a number of houses decorated with Portuguese azulejos.
Santo Antônio
Santo Antônio
On Praça Antônio Lobo, north-east of Praia Grande, are the church of Santo Antônio and the Capela dos Navegantes (Seafarers' Chapel; 1824).
On Praça Antônio Lobo, north-east of Praia Grande, are the church of Santo Antônio and the Capela dos Navegantes (Seafarers' Chapel; 1824).
Sao Luis Surroundings
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Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses
Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses encompasses 155,000 hectares of coast, that includes desert, dunes, mangrove swamps, and beaches.
