Historic Centre of São Luís

Welcome to the Historic Centre of São Luís, the capital of Maranhão and a city that holds a truly unique place in Brazilian history. Unlike most Brazilian colonial cities, São Luís was founded by the French in 1612, who named it…

We start our tour at the Palácio dos Leões (Pa-lah-see-o dos Lay-ows), or the Lions Palace. This imposing neoclassical structure is the seat of the state government and sits on the site of the original French fort, Saint-Louis,…

Continuing our exploration, we arrive at the Rua do Giz (Hoo-ah do Zheez), often considered one of the most beautiful streets in Brazil. This street is famous for its long, dramatic stone staircase and its stunning ensemble of…

We now enter the heart of the commercial district at Rua Portugal. This street is the premier showcase for the city’s famous 'azulejos.' As you look around, you will see building after building whose facades are entirely covered…

Standing prominently in the historic center is the Cathedral of the See, or Igreja da Sé (Ee-gray-zha da Say). Originally built by the Jesuits in the late seventeenth century, this cathedral is the 'mother of churches' in São…

In a historic district filled with colonial relics, we find something surprisingly modern and unique: the Museum of Reggae. São Luís is the only city in Brazil—and one of the few in the world outside Jamaica—with a museum…

To truly experience the soul of São Luís, one must visit the Mercado das Mercês. This bustling market is a sensory explosion, where the agricultural wealth of the interior meets the bounty of the Atlantic. …

As our tour of the Historic Centre of São Luís comes to an end, stand for a moment on one of its high slopes and look out over the river toward the modern city. We have traveled through four centuries of history, from the French…