São Bento Monastery

The Monastery of São Bento, in Rio de Janeiro

The Monastery of São Bento, or Saint Benedict, is a jewel of baroque art perched on a hill of Rio, with a dazzling interior of gildings. The Rio de Janeiro audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this Benedictine sanctuary, one of the oldest and most precious of the town.

The baroque jewel of the Benedictines

Here is the entrance of the Monastery of São Bento, or Saint Benedict. You must take the time to climb to visit it, for behind its sober façade, perched at the top of a hill, hides one of the most precious treasures of Rio. This Benedictine monastery was founded at the end of the sixteenth century, which makes of it one of the oldest religious ensembles of the town. Its church, built and decorated from the seventeenth to the eighteenth century, is considered one of the most beautiful examples of Brazilian baroque art. If the exterior, austere and massive, remains discreet, the interior leaves the visitor speechless: it is a true explosion of gildings, where the walls, the columns, the altars, the altarpieces and the sculptures are entirely covered with gold, forming a decor of an extraordinary richness and finesse. This baroque profusion, work of talented artists and artisans, expresses the devotion and the spirituality in all their splendour. The monastery, still inhabited by a community of monks, keeps an atmosphere of peace and contemplation. A baroque sanctuary and a spiritual treasure, the Monastery of São Bento is discovered with respect.

What to see

You admire, with respect, one of the oldest monasteries of Rio, founded at the end of the sixteenth century by the Benedictines and perched on a hill, whose church, behind a sober façade, reveals one of the most beautiful baroque interiors of Brazil: a true explosion of gildings where walls, columns, altars and altarpieces are entirely covered with gold, in an atmosphere of peace still inhabited by monks. The Monastery of São Bento is a spiritual treasure of Rio. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The Monastery of São Bento lies at the top of a hill of the centre of Rio de Janeiro, reachable on foot by a climb or a lift. A place of worship inhabited by monks, it can be visited with respect for services and silence; the entry of the church is generally free, but hours vary and a correct dress is required. It is best to check them before coming.

Why is the Monastery of São Bento of Rio remarkable?

Because, behind its sober façade perched on a hill, its church reveals one of the most beautiful baroque interiors of Brazil: a true explosion of gildings where walls, columns, altars and altarpieces are entirely covered with gold; founded at the end of the sixteenth century by the Benedictines, it is one of the oldest monasteries of the town, still inhabited by monks.

Where is the Monastery of São Bento in Rio de Janeiro?

At the top of a hill of the centre of Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil.