São Bento Monastery is a mandatory stop for visitors; one of that sacred tips, even for non religious people.
Benedictines arrived in São Paulo in 1598, but the Abbey and São Bento chapel were built only in 1634. The place, that received Pope Benedict XVI during his stay in Brazil in 2007, is today, additionally to the church (Basilica de Nossa Senhora da Assunção – Basilica of Our Lady of Assumption), this Monastery that today is the home for 40 cloistered monks who follow ora et labora (‘pray and work’) tradition, and, in the case of São Paulo monks, et legere ('and read'), specially the Bible.
According to São Bento’s desire (Saint Benedict), monks had to find their sustenance/food in order to avoid leaving monastery cloisters. That is why their activities are normally performed there. São Paulo Abbey, among other internal works and chaplaincies, is responsible for teaching at school – that celebrated 100 years in 2003 – and Faculdade São Bento, who opened the first Philosophy course in Latin America.
There is also a theater where musical concerts and events in general are held. Some days a week, workshops and courses are held at the school (see schedule at the website). However, the greatest attractions at the Monastery are: Gregorian chants followed by an organ at masses everyday and traditional mass, every Sunday, at 10am. People of several religions come to see this ‘show’; if you want to have a seat during the mass, go early.
The other great attraction is its shop, with bread, cakes, sweets, cookies and jam made by monks following secular receipts kept under abbey’s archive. Such receipts are only passed to another monk in order to keep its quality. Prices are a little higher than normal, but ingredients are fresh, fine and first quality, packages are an excellent sophisticate souvenir.
Pão São Bento (arracacha bread) costs R$12 and serves several people. Another excellent option is Benedictus, a ‘pão de mel’ (‘honey bread’) filled with strawberry jam, and Dominus, wholegrain bread using dark brown sugar, oats and olive oil. Also taste honey and apricot jam, Bethlehem (with pistachio, nuts, dates and apricot), Bolo Dom Bernardo (a French-recipe cake with coffee, chocolate, cognac, nuts, peach and ginger), Bolo Santa Escolástica (Swiss-based recipe using nuts and apple) and Bolo dos Monges – Monk cake (a XIX century recipe with canonical wine, apricot, plum and dark brown sugar). Everything is handmade and certified with ‘Mosteiro de São Bento’ stamp. At shop, there are also books, sacred images and the traditional medal of Saint Benedict (São Bento).
Monastery’s architecture is typical from XVII century; current building was built from 1910 to 1922, based on eclectic German tradition, designed by architect Richard Bernd. Internal decoration, frescos and murals were made by Benedictian Deutch monk D. Adelbert Gresnicht, who came to Brazil in 1913 to perform this work. He used to follow traditional Beuron School of Arts, in Prague.
External clock is a German mechanic jewel, installed in 1921, considered the most accurate in São Paulo. There is also set of bell in tune that tolls each full hour and fraction hour. German organ at Basilica is also famous among experts, with four manual keyboards and pedals, 77 real registrations and 6,000 pipes.
Traditional Café Girondion is in front of the Monastery offering juices, pastries, candies and several cakes at a charming environment. There are special meals for lunch and beer for happy hour.
A little farther, Salve Jorge bar is an excellent option to bring your friends and taste its famous ‘feijoada’ every Saturday. This friendly and chaotic contemporary bar, named after several ‘Jorges’ (George) in Brazilian and world cultural, like writer George Amado, singers Jorge Benjor, Seu Jorge, Jorge Aragão, Jorge Vercilo and George Michael, TV director Jorge Fernando, journalist Jorge Kajuru, film-maker George Lucas and actor George Clooney, and more.
The monastery is only one block away from 25 de Março Street, with its famous popular shopping area, one of the 59 theme streets in São Paulo. Other tourist points, like Pateo do Colégio, Sé Cathedral, Municipal Market, Largo São Francisco, Bovespa, Banespão (Ed. Altino Arantes), Edifício Martinelli, Vale do Anhangabaú and viaducts Chá and Santa Ifigênia are also in the neighborhood.
Monastery is right in front of São Bento subway station.
Service:
São Bento Monastery
Largo de São Bento - Downtown
Phone: (5511) 3328-8799
Website: www.mosteiro.org.br
Time: Basilica: Monday to Friday (exc. Thursday), 06:00 am to 07:00 pm. Saturday to Sunday, 06:00 am to 12:00 pm and 04:00 pm to 06:00 pm. Thursday, 02:00 pm
Sacristy: Tuesday to Friday, 02:00 am to 05:00 pm
Benedictines arrived in São Paulo in 1598, but the Abbey and São Bento chapel were built only in 1634. The place, that received Pope Benedict XVI during his stay in Brazil in 2007, is today, additionally to the church (Basilica de Nossa Senhora da Assunção – Basilica of Our Lady of Assumption), this Monastery that today is the home for 40 cloistered monks who follow ora et labora (‘pray and work’) tradition, and, in the case of São Paulo monks, et legere ('and read'), specially the Bible.
According to São Bento’s desire (Saint Benedict), monks had to find their sustenance/food in order to avoid leaving monastery cloisters. That is why their activities are normally performed there. São Paulo Abbey, among other internal works and chaplaincies, is responsible for teaching at school – that celebrated 100 years in 2003 – and Faculdade São Bento, who opened the first Philosophy course in Latin America.
There is also a theater where musical concerts and events in general are held. Some days a week, workshops and courses are held at the school (see schedule at the website). However, the greatest attractions at the Monastery are: Gregorian chants followed by an organ at masses everyday and traditional mass, every Sunday, at 10am. People of several religions come to see this ‘show’; if you want to have a seat during the mass, go early.
The other great attraction is its shop, with bread, cakes, sweets, cookies and jam made by monks following secular receipts kept under abbey’s archive. Such receipts are only passed to another monk in order to keep its quality. Prices are a little higher than normal, but ingredients are fresh, fine and first quality, packages are an excellent sophisticate souvenir.
Pão São Bento (arracacha bread) costs R$12 and serves several people. Another excellent option is Benedictus, a ‘pão de mel’ (‘honey bread’) filled with strawberry jam, and Dominus, wholegrain bread using dark brown sugar, oats and olive oil. Also taste honey and apricot jam, Bethlehem (with pistachio, nuts, dates and apricot), Bolo Dom Bernardo (a French-recipe cake with coffee, chocolate, cognac, nuts, peach and ginger), Bolo Santa Escolástica (Swiss-based recipe using nuts and apple) and Bolo dos Monges – Monk cake (a XIX century recipe with canonical wine, apricot, plum and dark brown sugar). Everything is handmade and certified with ‘Mosteiro de São Bento’ stamp. At shop, there are also books, sacred images and the traditional medal of Saint Benedict (São Bento).
Monastery’s architecture is typical from XVII century; current building was built from 1910 to 1922, based on eclectic German tradition, designed by architect Richard Bernd. Internal decoration, frescos and murals were made by Benedictian Deutch monk D. Adelbert Gresnicht, who came to Brazil in 1913 to perform this work. He used to follow traditional Beuron School of Arts, in Prague.
External clock is a German mechanic jewel, installed in 1921, considered the most accurate in São Paulo. There is also set of bell in tune that tolls each full hour and fraction hour. German organ at Basilica is also famous among experts, with four manual keyboards and pedals, 77 real registrations and 6,000 pipes.
Traditional Café Girondion is in front of the Monastery offering juices, pastries, candies and several cakes at a charming environment. There are special meals for lunch and beer for happy hour.
A little farther, Salve Jorge bar is an excellent option to bring your friends and taste its famous ‘feijoada’ every Saturday. This friendly and chaotic contemporary bar, named after several ‘Jorges’ (George) in Brazilian and world cultural, like writer George Amado, singers Jorge Benjor, Seu Jorge, Jorge Aragão, Jorge Vercilo and George Michael, TV director Jorge Fernando, journalist Jorge Kajuru, film-maker George Lucas and actor George Clooney, and more.
The monastery is only one block away from 25 de Março Street, with its famous popular shopping area, one of the 59 theme streets in São Paulo. Other tourist points, like Pateo do Colégio, Sé Cathedral, Municipal Market, Largo São Francisco, Bovespa, Banespão (Ed. Altino Arantes), Edifício Martinelli, Vale do Anhangabaú and viaducts Chá and Santa Ifigênia are also in the neighborhood.
Monastery is right in front of São Bento subway station.
Service:
São Bento Monastery
Largo de São Bento - Downtown
Phone: (5511) 3328-8799
Website: www.mosteiro.org.br
Time: Basilica: Monday to Friday (exc. Thursday), 06:00 am to 07:00 pm. Saturday to Sunday, 06:00 am to 12:00 pm and 04:00 pm to 06:00 pm. Thursday, 02:00 pm
Sacristy: Tuesday to Friday, 02:00 am to 05:00 pm
Mass: Monday to Friday, 07:00 am (Gregorian chant), 01:00 pm and 06:00 pm (organ only). Saturday at 06:00 am (Gregorian chant). Sunday, 8:30 am (organ only) and 10:00 am (Gregorian chant and organ)
Vigils: Monday to Friday, 05:25 pm (Gregorian chant). Sunday, 04:55 pm (Gregorian chant and organ)
Vigils: Monday to Friday, 05:25 pm (Gregorian chant). Sunday, 04:55 pm (Gregorian chant and organ)
Monastery shop: Monday to Friday, 07:00 am to 06:00 pm. Saturday, 07h30 am to 12:00 pm Sunday, after 10 am
Bar Salve Jorge
Praça Antonio Prado, 33 - Downtown (close to Edifício Matarazzo – parking on Rua Boa Vista, 192)
Phone: (5511) 3107-0123
Site: www.barsalvejorge.com.br
Café Girondino
Rua Boa Vista, 365 - Downtown
Phone: (5511) 3229-4574 / 3229-1287
Site: www.cafegirondino.com.br
Praça Antonio Prado, 33 - Downtown (close to Edifício Matarazzo – parking on Rua Boa Vista, 192)
Phone: (5511) 3107-0123
Site: www.barsalvejorge.com.br
Café Girondino
Rua Boa Vista, 365 - Downtown
Phone: (5511) 3229-4574 / 3229-1287
Site: www.cafegirondino.com.br
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