Recife Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Recife

Here is where Recife started because it was the most suitable spot to construct a port. Later, from here the whole city grew, so Marco Zero is considered the heart of Recife. The square is surrounded by buildings with stunning architecture. The place is used by locals for different festivals and other social events during the year. From Marco Zero you can see the Recife from where the name of the city originated, as well as the Parque de Esculturas (Sculptures Park) by Francisco Brennand, a famous Brazilian artist. There are some boats on location that can take you closer to the Sculptures Park.

Why You Should Visit:
A great starting point to visit Recife, besides being the place where all the action happens during carnivals and also the major concerts, demonstrations...

Tip:
Go in the late afternoon and watch the sunset followed by dusk, with the city lights sparkling. The weather is milder, so take the time to walk, pedal or skate.
During the day, check out the artisan shop right on the square that has great handcrafts at very reasonable prices.

Kahal Zur Israel Synagogue was the first Jewish congregation in the New World. It was established by immigrants from the Netherlands and joined by New Christians who were already living in the colony. There is now a museum on this site of the oldest synagogue site in the Americas.

From 1636 to 1654, the synagogue functioned on the site of the houses no. 197 and 203 Rua do Bom Jesus. It flourished in the mid-17th century when the Dutch briefly controlled this part of northeastern Brazil. The original synagogue building survived until the early 20th century when it was torn down. The site has been confirmed by an archaeological excavation. In 2001 the decision was made to create a Jewish museum in two story house with two shops located on the first floor then standing on the site of the old synagogue. The synagogue served a community of approximately 1,450 Jews. It had a cantor, Josue Velosino, and a rabbi, Isaac Aboab da Fonseca, sent to Recife in 1642.

The museum, built to resemble synagogues built in the 17th and 18th centuries by Jews from Spain and Portugal, opened in 2001. The synagogue is also at the center of a broader cultural renaissance. In November of every year, a Jewish festival offering dance, cinema, and food, from gefilte fish to fluden, attracts around 20,000 visitors.

Why You Should Visit:
To see a beautiful reconstruction of this first synagogue and watch informative videos.
All items shown including the educational part on the first floor are very well presented and you can spend plenty of time taking it all or just enjoying the beautiful historic atmosphere.

Tip:
Start on the top floor for the short movie that tells the history of Jews in Recife.
On the first floor, everything is written both in Portuguese and English, while upstairs it is just English so remember to also ask for an English brochure.

Arthur Oscar Square is a popular place for dates and fun outings during evenings in Recife. The square has the bust of Admiral Tamandaré, who is a famous hero of the Brazilian Navy, a fountain and many social and entertainment events during the year, including the Carnival. Also, around here are located a large number of restaurants, cafes and nightclubs.

Malakoff Tower is a tower built between 1835 and 1855 to be used as an observatory and as the main entrance and gateway for Arsenal da Marinha square. It has been registered as a Historical Patrimony and was named after a similar monument on the Crimean peninsula, used as a defense center for Sevastopol on the Crimean war. When the arsenals of the Navy were dismantled with the beginning of the Brazilian Republic, the tower was transferred to the heritage of Recife port and then abandoned and endangered. The city population, in association with cultural institutions leadership, mobilized against the demolition, using as an example the real strength of Malakoff on the Crimean war.

The tower was renovated in 1999, keeping the old features of the Tunisian-style monument. Today, it is a cultural area and astronomical observatory. Cultural area – has the proposal involving science, art and technology. Works with exhibitions of photos, comics, among others and it is used to do popular manifestations as well. Astronomical observatory - it is one of the two astronomical observatories belonging to the space science museum. One here, at the Malakoff Tower, and the other one located in Olinda.

Apollo Theater is the oldest theatre in Recife. It was built in 1842, in a neoclassical style by the architect Rio de Barros Lopes Joaquim Cabral and Teive. After eighteen years of work the theatre was transformed into a sugar warehouse and only its marble facade was preserved. Later the theatre was restored back to being a theatre and since 1996 has housed a live theater with performances all year long.

Church of Our Lady of the Mother of God was built in 1680 in baroque style. It is a local landmark and a stunning structure to see. The church has a beautiful façade with statues and its interior still has its original paintings. The church was designed by Antonio Fernandes de Matos. In 1971 the Church of Our Lady of the Mother of God was damaged by a fire, but later it was restored.

Church of Our Lady of Deliverance is a an aesthetically-intriguing church. Its contraction started in the 18th century on the site of an older chapel, but it was finished in 1882. It has a great tower of twenty-five meters, beautiful carved doors and a granite facade. The interior has intricate carvings. The ceiling was done in wood. Within the church you will see images of Our Lady of Conception and of Saint Mary Garcia.

Sao Jose Market is a local public market and landmark in Recife. The structure was built in 1875 and it is representative of the architecture of European markets at the time. The building was built by J. Lieuthier Louis in a neoclassical style. It is the oldest building in Brazil made in pre-manufactured iron. The market is very large and it has two buildings and 542 boutiques within.

Catedral De Sao Pedro Dos Clerigos is a popular tourist attraction in Recife. It was built by Manuel Ferreira Jácome in 1759 using the Great Santa Maria Sanctuary in Rome as a model. The church is beautiful, with two bell towers and an amazing interior made with a neoclassical design. The ceiling is painted, the interior features carvings, while the pulpit is engraved in gold. The church itself was built in baroque style.

Why You Should Visit:
Reinaugurated in 2017, after years of restoration works, this is arguably one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Brazil, inside and out.
Sometimes they play parties on the patio in front of the Cathedral on weekends.

Church of Our Lady of the Rosary of Black Men is an important historic and religious site. The church was built in colonial style in the 17th century, sometime between 1662 and 1667, by the Brotherhood of Our Lady of the Rosary of Black Men, which was a brotherhood of black slaves.

The church is Baroque, with just a single tower, but nevertheless the church is a very beautiful one, with three altars, images of Our Lady of the Rosary and other black saints. The main altar is engraved in gold. It is a great example of the architecture of 17th century Recife. The church is located 90 m to the eaast from the intersection of Avenida Dantas Barreto and Rua Estreita do Rosário.

The Franciscan Museum of Sacred Art simply displays amazing religious art objects. Among them are precious images, pictures, candleholders, candles, furniture, an altar, a crucifix dating to 1751 and many other fascinating objects. The museum is established within the adjacent Convent of St. Anthony, in the famous Golden Chapel of Recife (Capela Dourada), a magnificent colonial baroque church built in 1697.

Why You Should Visit:
Formidable edifice. Lots of gold. Guide on the spot.

Palace of Justice is another famous tourist attraction and historic sight in Recife. The structure was built in 1930 in Renaissance style with fascinating stained glass windows. The building has several levels and a beautiful dome which is the highest dome in the country. In front of the building there are two striking sculptures representing law and justice. Within the building there are busts of local lawyers and paintings by Murillo La Greca. Palace of Justice houses the Court of Justice of Pernambuco.

A very beautiful Neoclassical structure built in 1850 by Louis Léger Vauthier, Santa Isabel Theatre is a place for the most prestigious social and cultural events of Recife and the home of the Recife Symphony Orchestra. The interior of the theater is extraordinarily rich. It has amazing crystal mirrors, works of Murillo La Greca, an outstanding crystal chandelier and busts of famous personalities within. Numerous celebrities have visited the famous theater.

Why You Should Visit:
There is history and charm in every corner of this building!

Tip:
Guided tours on Sundays, but do check their website for schedules of visits and of performances.

The Princesses' Court Palace is a neoclassical structure built in 1841 by Mitchell Anchor on the site of the former Royal Treasury. The Palace was always the headquarters of the Pernambuco administration. The name of the palace came from the family of the Emperor Dom Pedro II and his children that played in the garden. The site is famous for its beautiful garden with baobab trees. The Princesses' Court Palace is one of the most popular tourist stops in Recife.