Monastery of Sao Bento (Mosteiro de Sao Bento)

Situated among the soaring, glass-fronted skyscrapers of downtown São Paulo, the Monastery of São Bento is a notable anomaly, and one of the city’s oldest institutions. While it originally dates back to the 16th century, the building it has occupied for over 100 years makes a striking impression both inside and out, with its soaring towers and richly ornamented nave. A working monastery, São Bento hosts regular masses that are open to the public, and which include Gregorian chanting and a 6,000-pipe organ as key features. True to São Bento’s teachings (and luckily for both visitors and locals), the monks also engage in various labors, including producing traditional pastries at the on-site bakery.

The Monastery of São Bento is featured on a number of sightseeing itineraries, including walking tours, layover tours, and private excursions.

• If you wish to attend Sunday mass, be sure to arrive early: Seats are always in high demand at this landmark monastery.

• Twice a month, the monastery hosts a paid brunch, which is accompanied by music performances.

• The monastery offers free monthly classes for those interested in learning Gregorian chanting.

• A college and a theater are also situated here.

The Monastery of São Bento is located in São Paulo’s downtown, or Centro, at Largo de São Bento. You can easily take the Metrô here: line 1 to the São Bento station; a number of bus lines also stop nearby.

The Monastery of São Bento hosts masses that are open to the public several times weekly. There are early morning and early afternoon masses Monday–Friday, early morning mass on Saturday, and both early and late morning masses on Sunday (when you should arrive early to secure a seat). The monastery is also open to the public for a range of tours, classes, and other offerings.

In addition to the Monastery of São Bento, São Paulo is home to a number of other noteworthy religious landmarks. Near the monastery is the Sé, or the São Paulo Cathedral, recognizable for its green dome and ornate exterior. Other religious sights worth exploring include Pateo do Collegio (a replica of the city’s 1554 Jesuit mission) and the São Paulo Museum of Sacred Art (inside the nearby Luz Monastery).