The Instituto Ricardo Brennand opened in 2002 after its namesake collector spent decades growing one of the largest armory collections in the world. Brennand also enjoyed sourcing artworks and artifacts concerning Brazilian history, contributing to his eagerness to establish a museum. In 1990, this vision for his collection became reality in the form of the Instituto Ricardo Brennand, which displays pieces from several continents dating between the 15th and 21st centuries. Highlights include myriad melee weapons and a private collection of works by Dutch artist Frans Post. Beyond the museum and art gallery, visitors can also enjoy a library and large park at this premier cultural institute.
São Bento Monastery was built in 1599 as the second Benedictine monastery in Brazil. It was destroyed when the Dutch colonizers arrived in Pernambuco around 1632, but was then reconstructed and opened again in 1640. It is one of the masterpieces of the baroque style in Olinda, and both the monastery and adjacent church are UNESCO World Heritage sites. In the interior you will find many works of art like the beautiful paintings that represent the life of Saint Benedict as well as the impressive old furnishings of the 17th century.
Opened in 1850 in honor of Princess Isabel, the Santa Isabel Theater is considered by some architects as the most beautiful theater of the Brazilian Imperial era. The charming building mixes its original neo-classical architecture with modernity. The use of technology allowed the theater to be refurbished to offer more comfort to its guests while keeping the beautiful original construction.
Joaquim Nabuco Foundation, formerly known as the Joaquim Nabuco Institute, is a goverment institution for the preservation of Brazil's cultural and historic legacy regarding Joaquim Nabuco's work. Here you will find the Homem do Nordeste Museum, the José Carlos Cavalcanti Borges Movie Theater, the Baobá Gallery, the Vicente do Rego Monteiro Gallery and six other places for cultural and historical subjects. Foundation also offers rental spaces for cultural events, reprints of old documents, and digitalization of texts and pictures, most of which are available at the official website.
Located in the Bairro do Recife neighborhood, where the first people to explore Recife settled, Marco Zero is the city's foundation landmark. It is the initial point for all Pernambuco's roads, and is set in the middle of Praça Rio Branco, an open-plan square that often hosts arts exhibitions, concerts and Recife's biggest cultural events. The place is right next to Rio Capibaribe river bank, offering views of the Parque das Esculturas sculptures and to the best of old Recife city.
Rua da Aurora is a street that is mainly on the left bank of the Capibaribe River. Its name, meaning "break of dawn," comes from the fact that all of its houses are east-facing, with a view of the sunrise. This street is a common picture on Recife postcards due to its beauty. Here you will find many houses where famous local families lived, various neoclassical buildings including the former home of the President of Pernambuco Province, the Parliament of Pernambuco and Ginásio Pernambucano, a traditional school founded in 1825.
The Instituto Ricardo Brennand opened in 2002 after its namesake collector spent decades growing one of the largest armory collections in the world. Brennand also enjoyed sourcing artworks and artifacts concerning Brazilian history, contributing to his eagerness to establish a museum. In 1990, this vision for his collection became reality in the form of the Instituto Ricardo Brennand, which displays pieces from several continents dating between the 15th and 21st centuries. Highlights include myriad melee weapons and a private collection of works by Dutch artist Frans Post. Beyond the museum and art gallery, visitors can also enjoy a library and large park at this premier cultural institute.
The first monastery of the Franciscan Order in Brazil, São Francisco hosts four chapels filled with Portuguese colonial tiles and baroque details: the Capítulo, the Nossa Senhora das Neves, the Sant'Anna and the São Roque. In the internal courtyard, there is a gallery of arches with 16 panels of Portuguese tiles representing the life and death of Saint Francis of Assisi. In the sacristy you'll find more tiles, handcrafted jacarandá wood furnishings and walls adorned with sacred paintings. The monastery is located in Carmo neighborhood.
São Bento Monastery was built in 1599 as the second Benedictine monastery in Brazil. It was destroyed when the Dutch colonizers arrived in Pernambuco around 1632, but was then reconstructed and opened again in 1640. It is one of the masterpieces of the baroque style in Olinda, and both the monastery and adjacent church are UNESCO World Heritage sites. In the interior you will find many works of art like the beautiful paintings that represent the life of Saint Benedict as well as the impressive old furnishings of the 17th century.
Gilberto Freyre is a famous writer and sociologist from Pernambuco. His former house is now a museum of his own work and life. It also hosts seasonal expositions. When exploring his house you will be able to see the artist's personal collection of handcrafted items and furniture, as well as the beautiful greenery surrounding the area. The museum is a part of a historic villa, on Rua Dois Irmãos, which is also home to Casa-Museu Magdalena, which like Museu Gilberto Freyre is owned and operated by Fundação Gilberto Freyre.
Created by an imperial law on August 11th, 1827, this was the first law school in Brazil and established the roots of higher education in the country. In 1854, the course was transferred to Recife and in 1912 was moved to this building, which is a National and Artistic Heritage site. You will find a library inside the building with over 100,000 books. There is also the Espaço Cátedra, a place that honors the personalities who studied and taught at this traditional school.
Opened in 1850 in honor of Princess Isabel, the Santa Isabel Theater is considered by some architects as the most beautiful theater of the Brazilian Imperial era. The charming building mixes its original neo-classical architecture with modernity. The use of technology allowed the theater to be refurbished to offer more comfort to its guests while keeping the beautiful original construction.