sao bento monastery

if you like culture , this a fantastic place , at sundays ( you need to know the hour ) these fathers ( Beneditinos ) celebrate the Missa in Latin , you will find our biggest ÓRGÃO in Brasil !

A dark and gothic church like nothing I have seen. The wood work was ornate and amazing to see. Looking from the outside gives no indication of what the inside looks like.

Probably the best example of colonial/Baroque architecture in Rio de Janeiro, the monastery, situated on top of a hill near Praça Mauá, should not be missed. A oasis of tranquility in busy downtown Rio, the church interior is richly decorated in gold. Mass on Sunday is celebrated with Gregorian chant and organ music.

Well worth the visit. Beautiful ceremonies. A very ancient church filled with wonderful decoration. We went twice. At the moment it is being repaired and scaffolding obstructs the rear part of the church.

The mosteiro is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Rio de Janeiro. Built in pure brazilian barroco stile, full of small engraved angels. Although the building is white on the outside, it is very dark inside and the walls very thick as was also used to protect the population in case of attack. Downside? The walk uphill.

The church is undergoing extensive modifications and the apse is full of scaffolding to the ceiling. We went to the 10am mass on Sunday expecting a High mass with Gregorian chant. There was only one cantor for most of the time without a microphone. The organist played single melody. It was totally unlike the monasteries in Europe where a large number chant with resonance throughout the Church. It was good to see that one monk is keeping the Thomas Aquinas tradition going!

Beautiful church under restoration but from what is visible this is a very nice monastry. The surrounding was serene and command a sense of authenticity. Looking forward to the completion of restoration.

As we waited to take the first tour at 11.00 a.m. of the Teatro Municipal, we walked through the original main square of Rio and took the 5 person elevator up to this still active monastery. Very interesting sequence of paintings/photos throughout the years as the city developed around this lovely baroque building. A mass was in progress and there was a large area for confessions. Saw present-day monks in their gowns and did not explore as much as we might have due to pending tour.

Its currently being restored, but you can still walk around inside and get an idea of how stunning it once was and we will be again when they're done.Still worth a visit. We took a subway to town and walked there.

YOu can tell that is a beautiful Church, unfortunately when we visited the Church was being remodeled, I hope it does not take too long, otherwise you will miss a lot in your visit.

Just amazing. It's a MUST. The monastery is beautiful, just like the chapel. Yo can participate of mass with gregorian chants!

Was told that the Gregorian mass at Sao Bentois a must. Great baroque architecture, gilt to feast your eyes, just a pity the place is under recunstruction

The interior of the church was under construction, but one was still able to get a sense of the magnificence of it. The exterior is stunning in it's simplicity. Definitely worth a visit.

This is the most famous place in Brazil to listem Gregorian Music, as the Monks had songed for ever since ancient time. The cultivate all the great songs of Gregorian Classics of Catholic Churc as a treasure. The younger monks are teached by the olders, and so, the tradition remains since XVI Century in the most Beautiful Chappel of Rio, in Saint Benedict Monastery ( Mosteiro de São Bento ), located downtown, just in front of the Piers of Rio de Janeiro. Only in Saturdays at 12:00 hs you can appreciate the mess with this explendorous Choir of monks, who sometimes goes to be re-performed and re-avaluated um Covents in France and England. Just Heaven in Paradise. Only once a week, on Saturdays, and pre-scheduled. Very hard, but very heavenly.

You cant left brazil without a picture of you an this monument!!!!!! Is just a one time experience!! i enjoy it !!!!!!