Capela Dourada, Religious chapel in Santo Antônio neighborhood, Recife, Brazil.
This Franciscan chapel features an interior completely covered with gold leaf applied over carved cedar wood reliefs, creating an ornate baroque ensemble that exemplifies the wealthy artistic expression of 18th-century colonial Brazil through intricate religious craftsmanship.
Construction began in 1696 with the cornerstone laid by Captain General Caetano de Melo Castro and concluded in 1724, requiring twenty-eight years of meticulous work under the direction of Portuguese master builder Antônio Fernandes de Matos and local artisans.
Portuguese azulejo panels adorn the side walls depicting saints and allegorical figures representing virtues such as Faith, Hope, and Charity, demonstrating the fusion between European artistic traditions and Brazilian colonial religious expression within Franciscan spiritual practices.
The chapel opens Monday from 8 AM to 5 PM, Tuesday to Wednesday from 2 PM to 4 PM, Thursday from 8 AM to 12 PM, and Friday from 2 PM to 4 PM, with entrance located on Rua do Imperador Pedro II in Santo Antônio district.
The sacristy preserves furniture carved in rosewood from 1762 and a marble washbasin imported from Estremoz, Portugal, showcasing the luxury and refinement that characterized Franciscan spaces during the colonial period in northeastern Brazil.
Location: Recife
Address: Altura da rua Siqueira Campos - R. do Imperador Pedro II, S/N - Santo Antônio, Recife - PE, 50010-240, Brazil
Opening Hours: Monday 08:00-17:00; Tuesday-Wednesday 14:00-16:00; Thursday 08:00-12:00; Friday 14:00-16:00
Phone: +558132240530
Website: http://instagram.com/capeladourada
GPS coordinates: -8.06252,-34.87740
Latest update: September 26, 2025 11:08
Faculdade de Direito do Recife
667 m
Basilica and Convent of Nossa Senhora do Carmo
487 m
Palácio do Campo das Princesas
273 m
Santa Isabel Theater
232 m
Ponte Maurício de Nassau
279 m
Ginásio Pernambucano
574 m
Mercado de São José
669 m
Rua da Aurora
486 m
Monument Tortura Nunca Mais
677 m
Convent and Church of Santo Antônio
21 m
Liceu Nóbrega de Artes e Ofícios
232 m
Ponte da Boa Vista
495 m
Church of Our Lady of the Rosary of Saint Antony of the Black People
330 m
Palácio da Justiça
103 m
Cinema São Luiz
495 m
Paço do Frevo
650 m
Ponte Duarte Coelho
404 m
Basilica of Our Lady of the Rock, Recife
690 m
Igreja do Divino Espírito Santo
357 m
Ponte Santa Isabel
361 m
Igreja da Ordem Terceira de São Francisco
55 m
Paço Alfândega
629 m
Portuguese Reading Office of Pernambuco
64 m
Ponte Buarque de Macedo
245 m
Museu de Arte Moderna Aloísio Magalhães
466 m
Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Livramento dos Homens Pardos
512 m
Museu Franciscano de Arte Sacra
22 m
Museu de História Natural Louis Jacques Brunet
581 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes