São Paulo Cathedral

The Catedral Metropolitana de São Paulo is a Gothic Revival church in the Sé district, built from granite and standing 92 meters tall. The building extends 111 meters in length and 46 meters in width, with towers rising above the surrounding area.

The foundation stone was laid in 1913, and architect Maximilian Emil Hehl led the project over several decades. Completion came in 1954, in time for the city's four-hundredth anniversary.

The name recalls the Apparition of Our Lady, and inside visitors stand before the sarcophagi of bishops resting beneath the main nave. The crypt shows sculptures of biblical figures carved in marble, set in a quiet environment.

The church stands in central São Paulo and welcomes visitors most days of the week. Doors stay open longer on weekdays than on Saturdays and Sundays, so a morning visit can be more practical.

The eastern tower holds 61 bells of Dutch origin, forming the largest carillon in Latin America. An instrument with twelve thousand pipes also stands inside and is played on special occasions.

Location: Sé

Location: São Paulo

Inception: 1913

Architects: Maximilian Emil Hehl

Official opening: 1954

Architectural style: Gothic Revival, Renaissance Revival architecture

Height: 92 m

Length: 111 m

Width: 46 m

Made from material: granite

Address: Praça da Sé - Sé - Centro

Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 08:00-19:00; Saturday 08:00-17:00; Sunday 08:00-18:00

Phone: +(11)31076832

Website: http://catedraldase.org.br/site

GPS coordinates: -23.55125,-46.63437

Latest update: December 12, 2025 18:08