Penedo, Alagoas: History, culture and monuments
Penedo, in Alagoas, was founded in 1565 and is an important page in the history of colonial Brazil.
Built on the banks of the São Francisco River, the city preserves an enviable architectural ensemble, including the 19th century Sete de Setembro Theatre and the 18th century churches: Nossa Senhora da Corrente, São Gonçalo Garcia dos Homens Pretos and Nossa Senhora dos Anjos.
Videos on the monuments and history of Penedo AL
Points of interest in Penedo in Alagoas
1. Historical Churches
1.1 The Church of Nossa Senhora da Corrente
A masterpiece of the Rococo style in Brazil, the Church of Nossa Senhora da Corrente was begun in 1764 and completed in the last decade of the 19th century. Its simple façade hides an interior of immense richness.
The high altar is gold veneered, with exquisite carvings in shades of blue and pink marble, and the two sides of the nave are covered with Portuguese tiles.
Also impressive are the carvings on the pulpit and the painting on the nave ceiling by Libório Lazdro Lial Afes, an artist from Pernambuco who worked on several religious buildings in the city.
The 19th century English tiles on the floor of the church were restored with funds from the Monumenta Programme.
Tradition has it that the church hid escaped slaves behind a false door in the side altar to the left of the entrance (Praça 12 de Abril, s/n).
1.2 Church of São Gonçalo Garcia dos Homens Pardos
Inaugurated in 1759, a year after construction began, the Church of São Gonçalo Garcia dos Homens Pardos stands out for its façade, whose neogothic bell towers date from the 19th century (Av. Floriano Peixoto, s/n, Centro).
1.3 Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary
The construction of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary began in 1690. Its façade was demolished in 1815 and a new one was built in its place, with beautiful stained glass windows (Praça Barão de Penedo, s/n, Centro).
1.4 Church of Our Lady of the Angels
Built by the Franciscans between the 17th and 16th centuries, the complex formed by the Church of Our Lady of the Angels and the Convent of San Francisco, whose lines follow the Portuguese Baroque style, is one of the most important in Alagoas.
The sober exterior contrasts with the rich rococo carvings inside, and the ceiling is decorated with an illusionist painting by Libório Lazdro Lial Afes (Praça Frei Camilo de Lellis, 218, Centro).
2. Paço Imperial Museum
Since 1859, when it housed Dom Pedro II and his entourage, this 19th century townhouse has been called the Paço Imperial. The institution collects pieces from the 18th and 19th centuries and owes its collection to donations from families in the city.
Inaugurated in 1971, the museum houses a collection of religious art, furniture and decorative objects. It was the initiative of the mayor at the time, Raimundo Marinho, who was honoured in 2002 with the opening of an adjoining memorial.
It’s worth going up to the second floor to enjoy a beautiful view of the São Francisco River. Also noteworthy is the canvas, 2.20 metres high and 1.30 metres wide, painted by Francisco Lopes Ruiz, depicting the emperor who made the building famous (Praça 12 de Abril, s/n, Centro).
3. Sete de Setembro Theatre
Designed to house the Penedo Imperial Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1865, the theatre’s construction began in 1881.
It was inaugurated three years later, on Independence Day. Designed by the Italian architect Luiz Lucariny, the neoclassical building has four ceramic statues representing the muses of poetry, music, dance and painting at the top of its façade.
The theatre, restored in the 1980s, hosts the Festival de Férias no Teatro (Theatre Festival) between July and August (Av. Floriano Peixoto, 81, Centro).
4. Penedo House
The nine rooms of this museum summarise the history of the city. They contain objects that belonged to illustrious local families, as well as a good collection of iconography and documents.
Run by a foundation, the Casa do Penedo restores old newspapers and books and supports writers from Penedo. Guided tours can be booked (Rua João Pessoa, 126, Centro).
5. Tour of the Marituba do Peixe wetlands
Located 20 kilometres from Penedo, between the city and Piaçabuçu – the so-called“Pantanal of Alagoas” – Marituba is known for its large floodplain with navigable channels.
The tour takes about an hour aboard a canoe. Local guides (located at the only agency in town or outside the Church of Nossa Senhora da Corrente) are responsible for hiring the canoeist.
Handicrafts are a common activity in the village. Many women turn their doorsteps into selling points for bags, hats and baskets made from this material. Another attraction is the Casa da Farinha, where rustic wooden instruments are used.
Tourist guide to Penedo in Alagoas
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