Capela Dourada, or the Golden Chapel, is a Baroque chapel in Recife’s Santo Antônio district, within the Franciscan complex of Santo Antônio. Inside, gilded wood carvings, painted decoration and religious paintings fill the walls and altar. The chapel was built for members of the Third Order of St Francis, a lay Franciscan brotherhood, and its links to Recife’s colonial-era sugar trade give the artwork a local history. Lay Franciscans at the entrance can explain the chapel and its details.
A chapel for the Third Order
Capela Dourada is part of the Franciscan complex of Santo Antônio in Recife. It was built for the Venerable Third Order of St Francis, a lay brotherhood whose members included merchants involved in the region’s sugar trade. The chapel served as a gathering place for members and their guests.
Construction began in 1696 under the direction of master mason Antônio Fernandes de Matos. The chapel opened for worship on 15 September 1697, after funds were raised through donations from the brotherhood’s members.
Gilded woodwork and paintings
The interior is known for its Baroque decoration, including gold-covered carvings and painted religious scenes. The two-storey altar is made from jacaranda and cedar, gilded with gold. A golden cross sits at its centre, with rays in gold and silver behind Christ’s head.
Take time to look across the walls and altar for the carved details and paintings. Lay Franciscans at the entrance can explain the chapel’s history and artwork.
Finding the entrance
The chapel is in the Santo Antônio district, at the Franciscan complex on Rua do Imperador Pedro II. Its direct entrance is a small, unmarked door between two churches. You can also see the interior from inside the church through a fence, without entering the chapel itself.
FAQ
Where is Capela Dourada?
It is in the Santo Antônio district of Recife, within the Franciscan complex of Santo Antônio on Rua do Imperador Pedro II.
What should I look for inside Capela Dourada?
Look for the gilded wood carvings, religious paintings and the two-storey altar made from jacaranda and cedar.
Can you see Capela Dourada for free?
You can view the chapel from inside the church through a fence for free. Direct entry is through a small, unmarked door between two churches.
How much does it cost to enter Capela Dourada?
One visitor reported paying 15 reais. Check locally for the current price.
