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Municipality in Pernambuco, Brazil
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. LeRoc assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Olinda is a city in the northeastern Brazilian state of Pernambuco. It hosts one of Brazil's most famous carnivals and is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO due to its 16th and 17th century buildings. Many bars, restaurants, artist and craftspeople studios add charm to the old-town setting.
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Catedral metropolitana del Santo Salvador del Mundo
Also known as Church of São Salvador do Mundo, this was the first church built in Brazil. It was built in 1540 and was briefly a Protestant church during the Dutch occupation in the 17th century.
The Mosteiro de São Bento (1582) and Convento São Francisco (1585) are very important buildings of baroque Brazil. The Convento São Francisco is a large building containing the convent proper, the Capela de São Roque chapel and the Igreja de Nossa Senhora das Neves church.
Built in 1549.
Built in 1540, with fine azulejos (ceramic tiles) and gilded carvings.
Restored church dating from 1613.
This huge monastery was built in 1582 and housed Brazil's first law school. In the chapel are exceptional woodcarvings. Holy mass is celebrated on Su at 10:30 with Gregorian chant.
Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Pernambuco
The museum's collection includes works by famous Brazilian artists, including Portinari, Di Cavalcanti, Cícero Dias, João Câmara, Telles Junior, Eliseu Visconti, Djanira, Wellington Virgolino, Guinard, Adolph Gottielib, Burle Max and Francisco Brennand. The historical building in which the museum is located dates from 1756 and was the only ecclesiastical prision in Brazil during the Inquisition.
Museu Regional de Olinda
The museum recreates scenes of domestic and social life of the residents of Olinda in the 1700s. Displays include colonial furniture, decorative arts, painted ceramic tilework, pictures and Brazilian and Portuguese sacred art.
Museu do Mamulengo
Museu de Arte Sacra de Pernambuco
Former city hall (1535) and Episcopal palace (1676), nowadays the building houses a rich collection of religious art with pieces dating back to the 16th century.
If you wish to splurge, Oficina do Sabor offers a privileged view of Recife. Try the baked pumpkin stuffed with shrimp or fish, cooked in coconut sauce (R$18).
Hostel.
Charming pousada with a bit worn, but very clean rooms. Excellent location close to the main square! The owner, Djair, is a very friendly sailor-like guy who makes a great breakfast (included). Small book-exchange (a few non-portuguese) and cool decorations.
Former colonial weekend house, a delightful place to stay.
A ventilated room with a view of Olinda, Recife and Atlantic. Owners speak Portuguese, English and German. Internet Wi-Fi, refrigerator, TV, independent entrance and proper bathroom.
By bus
Olinda is approximately 7 km north of the center of Recife, with plenty of local buses running in between. The main bus stop in Olinda is Praça do Carmo, which is easy to miss.
By taxi
Taxis from the center of Recife to Olinda take about 20 minutes.
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