Igreja da Ordem Terceira do Carmo

Igreja da Ordem Terceira do Carmo is a colonial church building in central Goiana with a main nave featuring four side altars arranged along the interior. The structure contains six niches that hold religious statues representing different periods in its history.

Construction of this church began in 1666 after Friar Alberto do Espírito Santo received permission to establish a convent in Goiana because of the distance from Olinda. The project responded to the pastoral needs of the growing community in the interior region during that colonial period.

The church displays wooden sculptures from the 16th and 17th centuries that represent important religious figures in Brazilian colonial art. These works show the craftsmanship and devotion that shaped spiritual life during that period.

The church is located at Praça Frei Caneca in the city center and is easy to find when walking through Goiana. Visitors should wear respectful clothing and behave appropriately when entering this sacred space.

Local stories speak of an underground tunnel supposedly connecting the church cross to Igreja do Carmo and allegedly built by Dutch settlers. Though unverified, this tale reflects how the community values its colonial past and the different groups that shaped the area.