Convent of St. Francis of Olinda

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Olinda is located just minutes from Recife, Pernambuco, in northeast Brazil. Founded in 1535, and a symbol of the sugar cane wealth in Brazil, the city contains several Baroque churches and monuments and is known as one of the best-preserved colonial cities in Brazil. Its hillside location offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Recife metropolis. The lush gardens, chapels, convents, and some twenty baroque churches make up the historic center of Olinda. The Convent of Saint Francis is the birthplace of the order in Brazil. The original convent was built in 1585, but during the Dutch control in the area, the convent was destroyed in 1631. Reconstruction started in the 17th century. Besides its library, the convent cloister contains beautiful tilework depicting the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Walking the convent halls and cloister and rooms is a trip in Brazilian history.