One of the world’s biggest metropolises holds humble foundations in 1554 when the Jesuits rolled through town. What grew up to be a city of nightclubs, bars, museums, theaters, and dance is now hailed as the culture capital of Brazil. Yes, you are in Sao Paulo where the hoards of immigrants make the city the most culturally diverse in all of Brazil.
Sao Paulo’s best museum rests in Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo. Hosting over 8,000 paintings and sculptures, the museum contains a significant collection of art for Latin America. Sao Paulo’s other museum favorite stands in Museu de Arte Sacra de Sao Paulo. Don Duarte Leopoldo, the first archbishop of Sao Paulo carried under his vestments a rich art collection. The 4,000-piece collection is held in the Museu de Arte Sacra de Sao Paulo, containing silver plates, sacred objects and candlesticks.
Modeled in the same fashion as New York City’s Central Park, Parque do Ibirapuera sprawls out with a wealth to see and do. Locals and tourists come here to take in the lakes, playgrounds, concerts, planetarium and yes, even two museums. Parque do Ibirapuera even hosts a unique Reading Woods where visitors can check out books to read in the “woods”. Sao Paulo’s most tended park comes in Jardim Botánico. The botanical garden is home to imperial palms, brazilwood trees, orchid farms and glistening ponds.
Sao Paulo even slithers. The Snake Farm at Instituto Butantan crawls with deadly snakes, scorpions and spiders. What doesn’t sound like a visitor’s hotspot is actually one of the city’s most popular sites. The Snake Farm has become a pioneering anti-venom research center, all set in wondrous parklands.
Shoppers delight in Rua Oscar Freire while in Sao Paulo. The city’s chicest neighborhood contains the best shopping. Dressed in a series of boutiques, in between the window and actual shopping, visitors can kick up their designer heels at one of the many refined eateries in the area.
Hailed as Sao Paulo’s most splendid construction, Theatro Municipal covers a wide range of styles, from Baroque to Art Nouveau. Constructed in 1903, Theatro Municipal opens up to an interior studded in gold and marble. In this ornate setting visitors can take in a top musical or operatic performance. Rivaling the Theatro’s construction, Igreja de Sao Francisco de Assis decorates in its colonial style from the 17th century. Viewers can admire the classic Portuguese design from every angle.
Just as Sao Paulo emulates Central Park in its Parque do Ibirapuera, Banespa remains the city’s version of the Empire State building. Completed in 1939, Banespa hosts one of Sampa’s best views. Visitors breath in the air from the observation deck of the building.
Home to 17 million people Sao Paulo may lack the beauty of Rio de Janeiro and hold increased violence and crime, but nothing can deter Sao Paulo from working hard to be a great city. So far the work has paid off for Sao Paulo as it even boasts the title of the country’s most prosperous city. Sao Paulo might make you rich or poor, but its attractions leave a visitors wealthy in cultural spirit.
