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Convento Franciscano de Santo Antônio

Franciscan Convent of Saint Anthony

One of the city's biggest attractions, a convent containing the ostentatious Capela Dourada (Golden Chapel), which certainly lives up to its name. Built in 1588, it is one of the most beautiful baroque churches in Brazil. Altar with gold-covered engravings, beautiful paintings on the ceiling and impressive amount of Portuguese-style tiled panels. This is one of the main sights in Recife. The interior of rosewood and cedar is completely covered with gold. You will find similar churches full of splendour only in Salvador da Bahia or Ouro Preto. The convent also houses the Museu Franciscano de Arte Sagrada (Franciscan Museum of Sacred Art).

museum

Address: Rua Imperador Pedro II, Santo Antônio, (Centro)
Hours: Mon-Fri 08:00-11:30, 14:00-17:00; Sat 08:00-11:30
Price: R$2
Website: conventosantoantonio.org.br (opens in a new tab)

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Listing from Wikivoyage: Recife, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Updated 28 Sept 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.

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