Igreja do Desterro
Igreja de São José do Desterro
One of the oldest surviving churches in the city, with an unusual dome in the Byzantine style, set in the Desterro neighborhood, which retains the atmosphere of the old town.
The church was originally built in the 17th century, rebuilt in 1688, and substantially remodeled in the 19th century. Its facade blends Portuguese Baroque with a Byzantine-style dome, a rare combination among colonial churches in Brazil. The Desterro district, in the southern part of the old town, is more down-to-earth, with colorful old houses and small squares. Nearby, you can visit the Black Museum (Cafua das Mercês) and the Convento das Mercês on the way. Opening hours are irregular, but the exterior is worth seeing in its own right.
Opening hours
Hours vary; open during Mass
Nearby sights
- Convento das Mercês
- Cafua das Mercês (Museu do Negro)
- Centro de Cultura Popular Domingos Vieira Filho
- Casa do Tambor de Crioula
- Igreja do Carmo
- Historic Centre of São Luís (Praia Grande)
- Casa das Tulhas (Feira da Praia Grande)
- Museu de Artes Visuais