Churches
[Igrejas]

High-rises nudge 60 colonial churches in Recife and Olinda. Churches are usually open from 8am to 5pm, with a 2-hour closure for lunch from noon to 2pm

Olinda:
Capela Dourada or The Golden Chapel  built in 1696 in the Convento de Santo Antonio; The altar is a two-story arch of jacaranda and cedar, all gilt with gold. Christ hangs on a golden cross with gold and silver rays shining out behind his head (oddly topped with real hair). The chapel is part of a Franciscan complex that includes a small Sacred Art museum with a few nice pieces of gold and silver work.  

Buses from Recife will drop you off at the Praça do Carmo where you meet the N.S. do Carmo church. Check out the huge ornate jacaranda-wood altar. The large  public space on the front is known as Praça da Abolição (abolition square). Note the statue of Princess Isabel, who was responsible for abolishing slavery in 1888.

Follow Avenida da Liberdade, and you'll pass by the 1590 Church of São Pedro Apostolo. Set your sights on Igreja da Sé at the top of the steep Ladeira da Sé. The Catedral da Sé de Olinda, 1537, dominates the hilltop of Olinda


You can forestall the steep hike by going to the right of N.S. do Carmo and on to Rua Sã Francisco, which leads to the Convento de São Francisco. Built in 1577, this was the first Franciscan monastery in Brazil. Inside is the life history of Jesus in the N.S. das Neves, done in Portuguese blue tile.

From the Convento São Francisco, the Travessia São Francisco leads up to the Ladeira de Se and the Igreja da Sé. Originally built in 1537,a series of photographs and drawings just inside the main door show the church's various incarnations. Once here enjoy the view, crafts market, food stalls selling  tapioca pancakes and shots of flavored cachaça as well as the church.

Still worth finding:
Church of Misericordia, (aka Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Luz) Built in 1540 by the Portuguese - it was burned during the Dutch invasion, and rebuilt in the 18th Century.
Mosteiro de São Bento: Built in 1582, this monastery is still home to 27 Benedictine monks. The church is said to be the richest in the city.

Find Avenida da Liberdade, and you'll pass by the 1590 Church of São Pedro Apostolo
Olinda Church Tour by olinda.com.br

At Boa-Viagem beach and the historic Guararapes Park is the church N.S. dos Prozeres.  

In Recife  the churches and other colonial buildings create a startling blend of the old and new. Praça da República; the historic Basilica of our Lady of Penha; the Cathedral of São Pedro dos Clérigos with a beautifully sculptured front; the Basilica of Our Lady of Carmo features a very impressive interior.

Church of São Pedro surrounded by restored houses that form a complex called Pátio de São

Church of the Ordem Terceiro de São Francisco.
Featuring a huge oil painting showing Franciscan monks getting crucified. The soldier's responsible were dealt with later by someone who removed their faces.

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http://www.ructurural.adm.br/english1.htm
Visit a fully functioning farm, with an area of 600 Ha. The farm is placed in the rural part of state of Pernambuco,  and the weather is healthy with sunshine all over the year. The owners and more 15 families  live on the farm

Fernando de Noronha--
Along with Natal (the other city which takes pride in its physical proximity to Europe and Africa), Recife is where you catch a connecting flight to the brilliant archipelago of 21 islands.

Francisco Brennand's ceramic atelier

A cultural compound comprising an art museum,  library and gardens. Conceived and set up by the sociologist Gilberto Freire and the exotic world of Francisco Brennand's sculpture park. You will also see the work of the most famous carpet weavers.

The estate of world-renowned ceramic artist Francisco Brennand. Brennand was born on June 11th, 1927 in Recife, Pernambuco. In Barcelona, Gaudí architecture and sculptures impressed Brennand so much that they became one of the main influences of his work. In 1953, in Umbria, Italy, he became a trainee at a faience factory so that he could improve his knowledge of ceramic art.

When he returned to Brazil, Brennand started working intensively, doing paintings and ceramic expositions in many museums and art galleries all over Brazil. He created murals for buildings in Recife and abroad. In 1971, he started working at an old brick and roof factory that was purchased for him by his father. The space was enormous, with over 10.000 m2 of buildings alone. From here Brennand  transformed industrial space into a magic chamber of art and mystic atmosphere which has continuously recreated inself through his artistic imagination.

The massive fortress-museum covered entirely with ceramic is surrounded by pristine forest and just a few kilometers outside of the central city. Olaria de Brennand is a ceramics factory with a display area of thousands of pieces.

Address: Bairro da Varzea
Phone: + 55 81 3271-2466
Directions: Propriedade Santos Cosme e Damiao Bairro da Varzea - Recife - PE
Website: brennand.com.br/english/index.html

Address: Alameda Antonio Brennand, Engenho São João, Várzea
Phone: 55 81 32711544
Visit schedule: from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am till 5 pm.

MUSEU DO HOMEM DO NORDESTE
This museum holds more than 3,500 pieces, with special emphasis on indigenous culture and the main aspects of lifestyle in colonial Northeastern Brazil. Its pieces refer back to the colonial period. Three sections: anthropology, popular art with superb ceramic figurines; and a pharmacy exhibit about the region's herbal/indigenous medicine. It is considered to be Recife's best museum.
Address:  Av. 17 de Agosto, 2187, Casa Forte, Recife. Phone: (81) 3441-5500

CASA DO CARNAVAL
Plays an important role in helping people do research on Brazilian Carnival. Holds important historic materials from the several Carnival clubs and associations in Recife.
Address :  Pátio de São Pedro, 42, São José, Recife. Phone: (81) 3424-4942

Mamulengo Puppet Museum Olinda (tel. 081/3429-6214; open Tues-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm; free admission on Rua Treze de Maio). The  three-floor museum assembles puppets [bonecos] used in Northeastern folk drama. Some have hidden levers that cause them to stick out appendages. Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Pernambuco (Museum of Contemporary Art; tel. 081/3429-2587 Olinda)
Almost next door to the above puppet museum

MUSEU DE CINÊNCIAS NATURAIS
Stuffed mammals, insects and reptiles can be found here.
Address: The City Zoo (Horto do Parque dois Irmãos, Recife.)

MUSEU DO TREM
This museum has parts and instruments that were used last century in the construction of the Northeastern Railroad Track. It also presents to the public at large a number of locomotives, English china, pictures of the first trains to run in the region, etc.
Address: Central Station (Estação Central – Praça Visconde de Mauá, São José, Recife.)
Admission : Free

MUSEU DO ESTADO
A museum of the State’s history and anthropology. Former residence of the Baron of Beberibe (19^th century). Holds important pieces that date back to the time of the Dutch settlement and the Colonial period; frescos commemorating the Battle of Guararapes and Mount Tabocas.
Address :  Av. Rui Barbosa, 960, Graças, Recife. Phone: (81) 3427-9322

MUSEU MURILO LA GRECA
Holds over a thousand drawings and 200 paintings that express Murilo La Greca’s conscious rejection. Visitors will be able to find, among other things, Murilo’s collection of 8 rpm long plays, as well as a few of his personal belongings. Murilo studied painting in Naples with Belles Arts teacher Emílio Notte.
Address:  R. Leonardo Cavalcanti, 366, Parnamirim, Recife. Phone: (81) 3268-8011

MUSEU DA ABOLIÇÃO
Works in a manor house (Sobrado Grande da Madalena). Founded in 1983, it exhibits in its Memorial Hall a collection of objects which refer back to the 18^th and the 19^th centuries. It also has an auditorium and an amphitheater, where cultural and educational programs are developed.
Address :  R. Benfica, 150, Madalena, Recife. Phone: (81) 3228-3248

MUSEU DE ARTE MODERNA – MAMAM
Exhibition of the works of several Brazilian artists.
Address :  R. da Aurora, 265, Boa Vista, Recife. Phone: (81) 3423-3007

MUSEU MILITAR DO FORTE DO BRUM
Founded in 1985, the museum exhibits its collection of English and Portuguese cannons, fire weapons, photos and objects that depict the participation of the Brazilian Air Force in World War II. The museum is located inside the Brum Fortress, built in the 17^th century.
Address:  Pça. Comunidade Luso-Brasileira, s/n, Bairro do Recife, Recife. 

FUNDAÇÃO GILBERTO FREYRE
All about Gilberto Freyre’s life; his furniture, personal belongings, books he wrote, etc.
Address:  R. Dois Irmãos, 320, Apipucos, Recife. Phone: (81) 441-1733

MUSEU DE ARTE CONTEMPORÂNEA
Works of famous Pernambuco artists like Bajado and João Câmara, to name a few.
Address:  R. 13 de Maio, s/n Olinda. Phone: (81) 3429-2587.

MUSEU DE ARTE SACRA DE PERNAMBUCO
Sacred pieces of art on permanent display. Today, it occupies the former home of the Bishop of Pernambuco.
Address :  R. Bispo Coutinho, 726, Alto da Sé, Olinda. Phone : (81) 3429-0032.

MUSEU LULA CARDOSO AIRES
Permanent exhibition of the artist’s works, including paintings, drawings, photographs, etc.
Address:  R.Hermínio Alves Queiroz, 1416, Piedade, Jaboatão dos Guararapes. Phone: (81) 3341-1932


OBSERVATÓRIO CULTURAL MALAKOFF
It offers public events in the field of science, art and technology. The tower was restored in 1999, but its original characteristics were preserved. It holds a virtual library and an environment for cultural events. It is also the venue for Espaço Ciência.
Address:  Praça do Arsenal da Marinha, Recife Antigo, Recife.

UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DA PERNAMBUCO
http://www.ufpe.br/
Cidade Universitária, Recife - PE - CEP: 50670-901
Fone PABX: (81) 2126.8000 / Fax: (81) 2126.8029