Ipojuca Historic Center

The historic center of Ipojuca is the seat of the municipality that Porto de Galinhas belongs to (Ipojuca is the municipality; Porto de Galinhas is one of its beach villages). It is away from the sea and from the tourist bustle, but it holds one of the oldest religious complexes in Brazil: the Convent of Santo Antônio, founded in 1606. It makes a good outing for a rainy day or a high-tide day.

Where it is and how to get there

According to Ipojuca City Hall, the historic center is about 13 km from Porto de Galinhas, roughly 20 minutes by car, and about 50 km from Recife airport (REC) via the PE-060 highway. You can go by car, taxi, ride-hailing app or public transportation.

Convent of Santo Antônio

Founded in 1606 by Friar Leonardo de Jesus, it is one of the oldest Franciscan convents in Brazil, according to Wikipedia. The Convent and Church of Santo Antônio complex was listed by IPHAN (Brazil’s national heritage institute) in 1938, in its Fine Arts register, according to iPatrimônio.

The architecture follows Franciscan simplicity: a façade with three arches, a cloister with round arches on the ground floor and little decoration. The cloister dates from around 1610. The convent holds the remains of Friar Gaspar de Santo Antônio, who died in 1635 and is regarded as the first Franciscan to live in the country.

In 2025, Ipojuca’s tourism secretary described the convent as the second Franciscan convent in Brazil, in an interview with Brasilturis. Sources differ on the exact ranking, so treat it as approximate.

The Santo Cristo de Ipojuca

Next to the convent is the Santo Cristo chapel, with a rare image of the crucified Christ with raised arms. According to Wikipedia, it is the only one of its kind in Brazil, and the origin of the image is unknown. The chapel suffered a fire in March 1935 that destroyed its furnishings, but the crucifix survived.

The devotion is one of the oldest in Brazil’s Northeast. Every January 1, crowds of pilgrims come to the convent. The Santo Cristo feast, organized by the Parish of São Miguel, usually runs from December 22 to January 1, with processions through the streets. Confirm the program for the year.

Igreja Matriz de São Miguel

The Igreja Matriz de São Miguel (the town’s main church) is in the historic center and appears on Ipojuca City Hall’s official tourism page. Mass times and visiting hours were not published; check with the parish.

Who it suits

• Anyone interested in history and colonial architecture.
• Rainy days, when the beach is not an option. See more ideas in Porto de Galinhas on rainy days.
• Travelers who want to understand the municipality beyond its beaches. The full background is in history of Porto de Galinhas.

Things to keep in mind

• These are active religious sites: respect services, silence and photography rules.
• Opening hours may change without notice; confirm before you go.
• Wear sunscreen and bring water: the center has little shade in the hottest hours.

How to fit it into your itinerary

The visit fits into a morning or an afternoon. Slot it into a day when low tide falls too early or too late, and head back to Porto de Galinhas for the late afternoon in the village.