Location: Zona Central (Central Region)
Top Things to do in Zona Central (Central Region)
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7 Sacred & Religious Sites in Zona Central (Central Region) That You Shouldn't Miss
With its plentiful beaches, dramatic mountains, and backdrop of samba and bossa nova rhythms, it's easy to fall in love with Rio de Janeiro. Made famous in song, Ipanema Beach is still the place to stroll, sunbathe, and be seen. The largest Art Deco statue in the world, Christ the Redeemer, beckons visitors to Corcovado Mountain. Rio’s annual Carnaval celebrations are bacchanalian extravaganzas of feasting, music, dance, and costumed revelry.
Restaurants in Rio de Janeiro
1. Sao Bento Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,600 reviews
Gregorian chants are performed on Sundays at this Benedictine complex, which was completed in 1641 and contains a spectacular church altar.
Reviewed By CJW913 - De Pere, United States
Benedictine monks from Bahia founded the Sao Bento Monastery in 1590, which is located in the hills of Sao Bento. Built between 1617 and 1641, the simple white exterior of the building reflects the simplicity of the time, but gives no hint of the opulence of the gilded Baroque interior. Stepping inside, and seeing the carvings, paintings, statues, and gilding literally takes your breath away. It is such a sensory overload that my brain could not take it all in! This is by far one of the most splendorous church interiors that I have ever seen--and I have seen many while visiting 140 countries. A number of the works on display were carved by one of the monks, Frei Domingos da Conceicao (1643-1718), including the main altar, and the statues of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica. One needs more time than my husband were given on our private tour of Rio to take in all the riches of this abbey church.
2. Church of Our Lady of the Candelaria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,458 reviews
Reviewed By AlejandroM862 - Reisenberg, Austria
I have special interest for the Portuguese colonial history and, having seen Portuguese churches in Asia, Europe and South America, I think this has been one of my favourite one worldwide so far. The facade is impressive. The works inside include paintings showing scenes of Portuguese travelers which can capture so much your attention (you have to look upwards immediately after entering the nave, there is a long row of them before you reach the trancept). It is worth stay a long while to stare and explore. It is also very well kept.
3. Convent of St. Anthony (Convento do Santo Antonio)
4. Catedral Presbiteriana Do Rio De Janeiro
5. Grande Templo Israelita
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 111 reviews
Reviewed By 61jonasr
This is a Jewish Temple, so if you like Jewish Temples you may wish to go back in time and admire this marterpiece mirrored after the Great Synagogue of Trieste, Italy. This beautiful synagogue was built in an area close to where the Rio de Janeiro Port used to be, home to the early Jewish immigrants in Rio de Janeiro, including the Praça Onze (Eleven Square) neighborhood. It still transpires grandeur in a somewhat cozy environment, charatcterized by its eclectic architectural style.
