Praça do Arsenal

Recife


Surrounded by many elegant colonial buildings, this square is at the heart of Recife Antigo. Colorful Rua do Bom Jesus, to the south of the square, was formerly known as Rua dos Judeos because a number of Jewish businesses opened here during Dutch rule (1630–54). Bom Jesus is at its best during the Feirinha do Recife Antigo, its colorful Sunday crafts market.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Recife attractions

1. Paço do Frevo

0.03 MILES

This strikingly red museum is a small and modern house of worship for frevo, the quintessential dance of the Recife Carnaval that is easily identified by…

2. Sinagoga Kahal Zur Israel

0.06 MILES

The oldest synagogue in the Americas, Sinagoga Kahal Zur Israel is now a Jewish cultural center and has interesting murals (in Portuguese and English)…

3. Embaixada dos Bonecos Gigantes

0.07 MILES

Displays some of the giant fibreglass puppets that feature in the Olinda Carnaval. There's a host of national and international sports and musical stars…

4. Museu Cais do Sertão

0.11 MILES

Inaugurated in 2014, this bold museum highlights the culture of the sertão (the interior of Pernambuco state), especially as it relates to the godfather…

5. Caixa Cultural

0.11 MILES

A well-run cultural center in the historic center hosting rotating high-quality exhibitions and films.

6. Marco Zero

0.14 MILES

The Marco Zero, a small 'Km 0' marker in the middle of the broad waterside Praça Rio Branco, marks the place where the Portuguese founded Recife in 1537…

8. Igreja Madre de Deus

0.28 MILES

A striking example of formal baroque architecture, the Madre Deus church serves as a nice contrast to the nearby Paço Alfândega mall. The facade has been…