Alcântara
A colonial “City of Ruins” across the bay, where mansions and church remains from the 19th-century cotton and sugar barons lie scattered across the grass. It is about an hour by boat.
In the 17th to 19th centuries, Alcântara was the wealthy heart of Maranhão. After the slave system and the cotton and sugar economy declined, people left and the mansions were abandoned. Roofless mansion walls and ruined churches remain, the most famous being the ruins of the Church of São Matias and the pillory in the central square. The town has several small museums and colonial lanes that are still intact. The local specialty is doce de espécie, a sweet coconut confection. Ferries from the port of São Luís take about 1 to 1.5 hours. Sailings change with the tides, so plan a day trip and allow plenty of time.
Opening hours
All day (depends on ferry schedule)
Nearby sights
- Ponta d'Areia Beach
- Lagoa da Jansen
- Palácio dos Leões
- Casa do Maranhão
- Palácio de La Ravardière
- Casa de Nhozinho
- Rua Portugal (Projeto Reviver)
- Museu de Artes Visuais