CONVENTO DAS MERCÊS

The first stones of the Convento das Mercês were laid in 1654. When Brazil gained its independence in 1822, the place was gradually abandoned before being reinvested again during the 19th century, and finally sold to the government of Maranhão. Between 1987 and 1990, the convento underwent new transformations, the original arches of the building and the ancient foundations of the church were rediscovered. Nowadays, the 5,800 square meters of the place house a museum with an impressive bibliographic collection and pieces of sacred art.