Recife, Brazil » Entertainment » Exhibitions

Recife is an Atlantic seaport also called the Venice of Brazil because of the waterways and bridges. There are many cultural, historical museums displaying the history, culture and art of Recife, Brazil.

Instituto Ricardo Brennand

Instituto Ricardo Brennand (Ricardo Brennand Institute) is an educational institution cum organisation that manages a museum, an art gallery, a library, and a large park. Ricardo Brennand is the initiator and owner of this institute. An assortment of artefacts is exhibited from many different sites and eras, right from the Middle Ages to the European civilisation till the 15th century, Colonial Brazil, Dutch Brazil, and Brazil in the present century.
Address: Alameda Antonio Brennand Várzea, Recife, State of Pernambuco, Brazil.

Museum of the State of Pernambuco (Museu do Estado de Pernambuco)

Established in 1940, this museum is housed in a 19th-century mansion that originally belonged to Dr Augusto Frederico de Oliveira. The museum inhabits a space of 9,043sq.m. decorated with carved gardens and ceramic artefacts. It exhibits portraits, paintings, prints, photos, sculptures, armour, pottery, furniture, jewellery of early settlements, the Colonial period, Dutch colony till the 20th and 21st centuries. It has over 12 thousand art pieces that describe the journey of Recife through the ages. It is also home to "Salao de Arte Contemporanea de Pernambuco" - Presentation of the work of local artists.
Address: Avenue Rui Barbosa, 960, Graças, Recife , Brazil.

Museu do Homem do Nordeste (Northeastern Man Museum)

This museum holds a massive collection of art pieces describing the culture of Pernambuco state. The collections are distributed into three main exhibition themes: the sugarcane production cycle, the north-eastern man’s lifestyle, and folklore and religious habits. Many seminars are held at the museum to discuss the culture of Pernambuco.
Address: Av. Dezessete de Agosto, 2187 - Casa Forte, Recife, Brazil.

Museu Murillo La Greca

Inaugurated in 1985, the Museum Murillo La Greca is dedicated to the famous painter Murillo La Greca whose dreams were fulfilled through the museum’s opening. This museum is one of the famous spots for art lovers. It contains over 1,400 drawings in crayon and pastel and 160 paintings (landscapes, portraits) by painter Murillo La Greca. The museum also exhibits discs, books, furniture from various eras.
Address: Rua Leonardo Bezerra Cavalcanti 366, Parnamirim, Zonta Norte, Recife, Brazil.

Gilberto Freyre Foundation

Gilberto Freyre Foundation (Fundação Gilberto Freyre) is located in the Vivenda Santo Antonio de Apipucos, which was the house of Gilberto Freyre for over 40 years. This 18th-century villa exhibits paintings and objects collected by the Freyre family. They include sacred Catholic paintings, pieces of African origin, Portuguese tiles, Brazilian artwork, English and Portuguese silverware, a book collection, and other literature-related objects.
Address: R. Dois Irmãos, 320, Apipucos, Recife, Brazil.

Museu do Trem (Train Museum)

The museum is situated in the old Central Train Station. Though it is now used as the central station for Recife’s subway system, it holds exhibitions offering unique artefacts.
Address: R. Floriano Peixoto, São José, Recife, Brazil.

Oficina Ceramica Francisco Brennand (Francisco Brennand Ceramic Shop)

Fransico Brennand was one of the most important and famous names in contemporary sculptures in Brazil. The shop is located in an old brick factory that belonged to Francisco’s family. He likes to exhibit his ceramic work in open spaces like gardens.
Address: Propriedade Santos Cosme e Damião Rua Diogo de Vasconcelos, S/N - Várzea, Recife, Brazil.

Museu da Cidade do Recife ( Visit )

Museu da Cidade do Recife (Recife City Museum) is located in the 17th century Cinco Pontas Fortress. It exhibits artefacts, collections, objects, and reproductions of old paintings that portray bygone Recife since the Dutch ruled it.
Address: Forte das Cinco Pontas, Sao Jose, Recife, Brazil.

Museu Franciscano de Arte Sacra

Museu Franciscano de Arte Sacra (Franciscan Museum of Religious Art) is dedicated to preserving worship and religious art objects. The museum was inaugurated in 1974 and is located in the Convent of San Antonia. The collections at the museum include paramentos liturgical, furniture carving, pieces of worship in precious metals as ostensórios, turíbulos, tocheiros and candlesticks, statues, and other objects baroque. Among the religious objects displayed here, an interesting one is the first image of Sagrado Coração de Jesus de Pernambuco.
Address: Altura da rua Siqueira Campos, R. do Imperador Pedro II, Santo Antônio, Recife, Brazil.

Museu de Arte Moderna Aloísio Magalhães (MAMAM)

Museu de Arte Moderna Aloísio Magalhães (Museum of Modern Art Aloísio Magalhães) is a museum created in 1997 within the Galeria Metropolitana de Arte Aloísio Magalhãe located opposite the Capibaribe River. The museum is divided into three floors, and its main objectives are to promote modern and contemporary art of north-eastern Brazil. The exhibitions have showcased various artists such as Basquiat, Cildo Meireles, Antonio Dias, Ernesto Neto, Rivane Neuschwander, and Jarbas Lopes. There is also a permanent exhibition on display depicting various works of modern art. The new annexe of MAMAM attached to the Patio in St.Peter’s square holds frequent seminars and discussions.
Address: Rua da Aurora, 265 - Boa Vista, Recife, Brazil.

Museu da Imagem e do Som de Pernambuco (MISPE)

Museu da Imagem e do Som de Pernambuco (Museum of Image and Sound of Pernambuco) was founded on 13th October, 1970. Its primary purpose is to document and broadcast the culture of Pernambuco. The MISPE collections include more than 6 thousand pieces of discs, audiotapes, posters, postcards, photographs, and slides. It has a compilation of 100 films/documentaries, books, and magazines. MISPE auditorium seating accommodates 50 visitors where you can watch films. It is open every day from Monday to Friday.
Address: Rua da Aurora, 379 - Boa Vista, Recife, Brazil.