Sao Bento Monastery in Rio de Janeiro

The São Bento Monastery in Rio de Janeiro is a true treasure not usually on visitors radar.
For people who like visiting churches - this is the premiere one in Rio de Janeiro.
Founded in 1590. Monastery was started being built in 1617 and construction of the church started in 1633.
Address: Rua Dom Gerardo, 68. Centro, Rio de Janeiro.

Traditional masses are 09.30 on sundays

Connected to the monastery is "Colégio de São Bento" is a Benedictine school for boys with a history that dates back 150 years. Quality wise this school is considered one of the best in the city.

Direction to the Monastery
Easiest way to get to downtown is by Metro to stations Cinelandia and Carioca.
To start a general tour of the city - best station to stop will be Cinelandia,
which is a short walking distance from the other station Carioca, which is the one closest to the Monastery.

When already in downtown to get to the Monastery you only have to follow the street "Rua primeiro de março"
until the end where you turn to the left following the street "Rua Dom Gerardo".
If you are walking you can enter in building number 40, where you can take the elevator or the stairs up to the monastery.

If it is closed there or if you arrive by Car or Minivan you enter to the right in the gate for number 68 which is the street number for the monastery. From there you get to the parking area which has toilet and the area have facilitated access for people using wheelchair.

On the left you can see part of the Interior of the Church Conected to São Bento Monastery.

The church and monastery was founded of monks in The Order of Saint Benedict (Latin name: Ordo Sancti Benedicti).

The rule of St. Benedict provides a moderate path between individual zeal and formulaic institutionalism. In Brazil this order started in Salvador before arriving to Rio de Janeiro just a few decades after the founding of the city.