Igreja da Sé


The imposing Igreja da Sé was originally built in 1537. Burnt in 1631, it has been reconstructed four times since, most recently from 1974 to 1984 in a Mannerist style that attempts to re-create the original 16th-century look. Pass through the door to the right of the main altar and continue past the original Portuguese tiles to reach the patio, which offers great views over the town to the brilliant blue sea and Recife in the distance.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Convento de São Francisco

0.12 MILES

This is a large structure containing the 16th-century Igreja NS das Neves and two later chapels, with rich baroque detailing and lovely azulejos …

2. Igreja da Misericórdia

0.22 MILES

Igreja da Misericórdia and the adjacent former hospital buildling stand on the site of a larger church built in 1630 that was burnt to the ground by the…

3. Casa dos Bonecos Gigantes

0.24 MILES

This small upstairs gallery displays a collection of the giant puppets used in Olinda's Carnaval. Unlike some more commercial galleries in Recife, almost…

4. Igreja NS do Carmo

0.24 MILES

Praça do Carmo is overlooked by Igreja NS do Carmo (1580), which has been restored in part, although the faded frescoes beside and above the altar on the…

5. Igreja São Pedro

0.24 MILES

This colonial church built in the 18th century was closed in 2015 due to risk of collapse and – much to the chagrin of locals – has yet to reopen.

6. Museu Regional de Olinda

0.28 MILES

Located in a classic house that was formerly inhabited by the local clergy, this museum houses a small collection of colonial-period furniture and…

7. Museu do Mamulengo

0.28 MILES

The Museu do Mamulengo has a unique and surprisingly interesting collection of more than 1000 pieces devoted to the traveling puppet shows called…

8. Igreja NS do Amparo

0.33 MILES

Head down Rua Saldanha Marinho to look at the restored 1613 Igreja NS do Amparo, which was partially destroyed by the Dutch before being rebuilt in 1644…