Rio's Top Religious Sites (Self Guided), Rio de Janeiro

Due to the legacy of the Portuguese in language, religion, and law, Rio de Janeiro has had a rich and influential Catholic tradition. Until the mid-20th century almost all Brazilians were – at least nominally – Catholic, and today the country’s religious sites, both classic and modern, impress with their skill, creativity and devotion.

Founded in 1590 by Benedictine monks from Bahia, the Sao Bento Monastery located in the hills of Sao Bento has a simple white exterior reflecting the simplicity of the time, but gives no hint of the opulent Baroque interior. Stepping inside, and seeing the carvings, paintings, statues, and gilding will instantly take your breath away.

The city center houses many other religious landmarks, such as the Candelária Church, whose variety of architectural styles includes Baroque, Neoclassical and neo-Renaissance; the highly artistic Old Cathedral, decorated with statues of saints, paintings, rich stucco and mosaics; or São Francisco da Penitência – another baroque cathedral famous for its carvings, as well as for containing almost a ton of gold.

In a more contemporary architecture, the incredibly striking Metropolitan Cathedral has a conical shape, with 96 meters of internal diameter and capacity to receive up to 20 thousand faithful. Its exterior splendor, with straight and sober lines, is due to the changing stained glass windows carved on the walls up to the dome.

Take our self-guided walking tour to discover the most remarkable cathedrals, churches and monasteries in the city of Rio de Janeiro!