Things to see and do Pernambuco

An agency specialized in tourism in Fernando de Noronha that offers a lot of information about the island, on site or on their website. For more than ten years, the team has been advising on the sale of air tickets, tours, land and sea packages and strives to meet the specific requirements of customers by offering personalized services. All this can be arranged remotely through the website.

One of the attractions of Porto de Galinhas is undoubtedly the magnificent natural pools that line the region, from Sergipe to Pernambuco. These natural pools, formed during low tides, are surrounded by coral. The beaches have been named the most beautiful beaches in Brazil. You can dive in the biggest one and swim with the small fishes for about 10 R$. Mask and snorkel are included in the price of the ticket. The downside is the ever increasing influx of tourists. If you are looking for tranquility, run away!

The "fantasias" of the Rio Carnival are world-famous, those of the Recife and Olinda Carnivals are less so. Like the "giants" of the carnivals of the North, the large dolls that parade through the streets of Recife and Olinda during the carnival rest in this museum the rest of the year. They are made up of singers, actors, politicians and showbiz figures, and there are many personalities whose effigies have been transformed into these big men.

The island of Fernando de Noronha is a small ecological paradise which depends on the state of Pernambuco. The National Marine Park occupies two thirds of the island. It was created with the aim of preserving the local marine and terrestrial environment. It offers controlled access to the beauties of the island and is responsible for the management and preservation of natural areas, research on fauna and flora. On their website you will find all the practical information about the park.

The original building of this church dedicated to St John the Baptist dates from the second half of the 16th century, built in the Mannerist style. After a period of neglect, it underwent a major restoration campaign at the beginning of the 18th century, when its façade was embellished with Baroque elements, but the church was destroyed by fire in 1773. It fell into disrepair again in the 1990s, and a lack of funds prevented it from being renovated as it should have been.

The first church of the Carmelite Order in all the Americas, the first stones of the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Carmo were laid in 1580. When the city was destroyed by the Dutch in 1631, the church and convent suffered severe damage. In 1654, reconstruction work began. The place was abandoned in 1820. It was not until 1897 that a new restoration was undertaken, allowing the building to regain its splendour, displaying an architecture with Mannerist influences combined with Baroque elements.

Located on the Largo do Amparo, in the upper town of Olinda, the church of the same name was erected in 1613 and rebuilt in 1644, after being partially destroyed by the Dutch. Work continued until the end of the 18th century, giving the building its current Baroque configuration. However, the church was never completed in its entirety: there is only one aisle to the side of the nave. The beautiful gilded carvings on its altars are worth seeing.

The Church of Our Lady of the Conception, dating from the 16th century and located near the Largo da Misericórdia, was redesigned by the architect Fernandes Vieria as a shelter for abandoned women. Its façade features a cross surrounded by obelisks. The arcaded portico in the Franciscan style is quite remarkable. The interior has a beautifully painted ceiling from the second half of the 18th century, as well as figurative tile panels.

The Museum of Sacred Art of Pernambuco (MASPE) was inaugurated in 1977, in the former Episcopal Palace of Olinda, which was also used as a military barracks during the Second World War. The museum's collection consists of sacred art donated by the Archdiocese of Olinda and Recife: polychrome and gilded images from the 16th century, paintings and popular sacred art, as well as a wide range of church objects. A must-see for lovers of sacred art.

The church of Our Lady of Grace is one of the first churches in Brazil: in 1551 it was a simple chapel that was given to the Jesuits. About fifteen years later, Father Antônio Pires had a stone building erected, and between 1584 and 1592, the small church was enlarged by the priest Luiz Grã, with the addition of the nave, the façade and the roof. The church is very sober and has beautiful side chapels decorated with altars.

The construction of the convent began in 1585. Partially destroyed by the Dutch in 1631, it was rebuilt during the 17th century. The architectural ensemble, today classified as a World Heritage Site by Unesco, is particularly remarkable for its cloister and sacristy covered with Portugueseazulejos representing various scenes, but also for the impressive sculptures that adorn the ceilings of the church, the sacristy and the chapel.

Casa da Cultura is an amazing building housed in a prison until 1973. It was built as a cross to facilitate surveillance of all cells. Today there is a vast commercial and artisan complex. Many small souvenir and craft shops (of varying quality) are installed in the old cells, as well as art galleries and folk presentations. The old central station of Recife (1888) houses the train museum and the metro terminal.

This chapel is one of the splendors of Recife. Built between 1696 and 1724, this chapel, so named for its fine gold woodwork, is one of the best examples of Baroque art in Pernambuco. It houses the Franciscan Museum of Sacred Art as well as the convent and Igreja de Santo Antônio, the former hospital building and the Ordem Terceira house of prayer, which make up the Franciscan complex in Recife. You can see beautiful azulejos.

Dedicated to the patron saint of Recife, the majestic Carmelite Church was built between 1687 and 1767, on the site of the Palácio da Boa Vista, of the German Count João Maurício de Nassau, the governor of Dutch Brazil. The interior of the building is Baroque in style and contains some interesting works. Together with the Convento do Carmo and the Igreja de Santa Teresa da Ordem Terceira, it makes up the Carmelite complex of Recife, initiated a century after the arrival of this order in Brazil.

Gilberto Freyre is known for his Brazilian epic work Masters and Slaves , which deciphers the complex social structures of Brazilian colonial society. His large property in the Apipucos district, where the anthropologist and sociologist Gilberto Freyre lived for more than 40 years, is a former 19th century Casa Grande. This former 19th century "Casa Grande" was transformed into a museum in 1987. There are pieces of ethno-anthropological, artistic and literary interest.

The city of Caruaru is intimately linked to the forro culture. In June, this musical madness takes over and the São Joao is the most famous in the Nordeste. The recognition of the forro owes much to one man: the musician Luiz Gonzaga. The forro museum is almost exclusively dedicated to Luiz Gonzaga, the king of the Baião. This musician has largely contributed to the diffusion of this music in all Brazil. You will find many objects that belonged or refer to Luiz Gonzaga: records, personal effects, press clippings..

Built in the 18th century by the brotherhood of the Santissimo Sacramento do Corpo Santo, this church is considered one of the most beautiful in Recife. Built between 1753 and 1790, its interior is richly decorated with sculptures from the late 18th century. The façade of the building is magnificent, with volutes and shells on the portals. In the main altar there is a throne with a crucifix and niches containing the images of Saint Anthony and Saint Sebastian.

Beautiful church completed in 1771. The interior is in rococo style, typical of northern Portugal. The simple facade hides an exuberant interior, rich as the image of Nossa Senhora da Conceição on the high altar and the white and golden rococo sculptures of the central arch. On the choir, one can admire a fresco representing the first battle of the Guararapes against the Dutch. There is also the Padre Roberto Barbalho Museum of Sacred Art.

In the old quarter of Boa Vista, close to the city centre, the city's Museum of Modern Art hosts temporary national and international exhibitions. The building, like a district, or even a city that seemed to be falling into disuse, has been tastefully renovated and honours the city's artistic policy since 2001. It has three floors and seven exhibition rooms, an auditorium and a library specializing in modern art.

This fort began to be built in 1631, one year after the capture of Recife by the Dutch. It is one of the most imposing remains of the Dutch presence in the region. Erected at the southern tip of the island in 1631 by order of the Prince of Nassau, and rebuilt by the Portuguese in 1654, it played an important role in the battles between the Portuguese colonies of Recife and Olinda. The Fort of Orange, (in reference to the then masters, the Dutch), also known as the Fort of Itamaracá, is located on the island of Itamaracá.

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In addition to the Ricardo Brennand ceramics factory and museum, the ceramist has also created a foundation. In the 2000s, the patron Ricardo Brennand built the Castelo São João, inspired by English castles, in a large wooded area of more than 70,000 m², surrounded by preserved mata atlantica, to house his art collection. There is an art gallery, a museum of arms and an art gallery. Today the complex also has a library and a café.