The Convent of the Carmelites (17C), laid out around two cloisters, is partially occupied by a luxury hotel. It served as a refuge to Dutch forces during the invasion of 1624, as well as for Portuguese troops during Bahia's wars of independence. You ..

The original church was destroyed by a fire in 1788 and has been replaced by this Rococo building (1803). The showpiece of the Igreja da Ordem Terceira do Carmo, is a cedar carving of Christ (1730), inlaid with rubies to represent 2 000 droplets of..

Housed in the former convent of Santa Teresa de Ávila (17C), the Museu de Arte Sacra has a substantial collection of 17C and 18C works. All the main names of Bahian colonial art feature: Frei Agostinho da Piedade, José Joaquim da Rocha, and his disci..

Ilha Boipeba, more authentic than Morro de São Paulo, is the southernmost island of the Tinharé archipelago. In the rustic little town of Velha Boipeba, a posto telefônico serves as an information office for travellers. On the outskirts of the vill..

This national park covering 1 500km 2 at the heart of the Serra do Sincóra has unique vegetation and a number of remarkable spots, including the impressive Cachoeira de Fumaça, a 380m-high waterfall; the breathtaking Poço Encantado, a turquoise-blue..

A Rococo gem, the stunning "Golden Chapel" (1697) evokes the golden age of the religious orders in Pernambuco. Inside, its decor reveals a breathtaking array of golden sculptures, arabesques and finely cabled balustrades. On the walls and c..

Colonial times are characterised by the remarkable religious buildings whose splendour is reminiscent of such edifices in Portugal, Italy or Spain. The Franciscans were no exception and their Convento de São Francisco, the first in Brazil, boasts sum..

With its exceptional marine park and beaches with crystalline waters, Fernando de Noronha is a dream destination. The 21 little islands located in the Atlantic, approximately 500km from Recife, have been counted among UNESCO's World Heritage Sites si..

The beaches of Fernando de Noronha are all so sublime that you will be spoilt for choice! Bathe in the crystalline waters of the Baía dos Porcos , dive in the waters of Baía do Sueste to meet the turtles, watch the surfing championships at Cacimb..

Lagoa Azul and Lagoa do Paraíso are in fact just one lagoon: the Lagoa de Jijoca (30km 2 ), which lies 10km south of Jeri. You can take a buggy to the fine-sand beaches and enjoy their discreet facilities: straw huts where grilled fish is served,..

Praia Grande is one of the three areas making up the historical centre of São Luís, which offers attractions at every turn. You can purchase crafts and local specialities (such as tiquira , manioc liqueur, or dried prawns) at the Mercado das Tulhas..

Fish traps, huts, basketwork, figurines for the highly festive Bumba-meu-Boi folk procession that were made by Nhôzinho himself (he also made beautiful toys), looms, cotton fabrics… From crafts and traditional homes to everyday objects, all the div..

The Bumba-meu-Boi is a museum located within the Casa do Maranhão and is dedicated to one of the richest folklores of the Maranhão, covering all its stages and its five regional variants or sotaques . These can be seen in the costumes, rhythms and..

Afro-Brazilian rites and dances hold an important place in the religious life of the Maranhense. Through models, photos and objects, the Casa da Festa presents the oldest terreiros (places of worship) in the state, Casa das Minas and Casa de Nagô, ..

White sand dunes stretching as far as the eye can see, interspersed with turquoise-blue rainwater lagoons... The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (a nature reserve since 1981), which stretches over 155 000ha, is unlike anywhere else in the world; th..

The Monumental Axis comes to an end on the east side of Praça dos Três Poderes. Three buildings devoted respectively to the executive (the Palácio do Planalto), the legislative (the Congresso Nacional, actually a triptych of buildings) and the judici..

In the heart of the city is this gigantic platform accommodating Niemeyer's remarkable achievement, both symbol of power and masterpiece of Modernist art. This is the National Congress, where the Congress, the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate enjoy..

The Palácio da Alvorada, the official residence of the President of Brazil, is one of Oscar Niemeyer's major works. The palace is famous for its columns, which lend it an elegance that is in stark contrast with the monumentalism that tends to prevail..

The Itamaraty Palace, which houses the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is one of Niemeyer's most outstanding architectural accomplishments. Surrounded by pools and greenery, the façade composed of long vertical arches fronts a rectangular glass structur..

This cathedral, architect Oscar Niemeyer's masterpiece, is a monument that soars towards the sky in a design that perfectly sublimates the Christian faith. The 16 columns curving inwards hardly seem to touch the ground. Inside, the stained-glass wind..