Situated among the soaring, glass-fronted skyscrapers of downtown São Paulo, the Monastery of São Bento is a notable anomaly, and one of the city’s oldest institutions. While it originally dates back to the 16th century, the building it has occupied for over 100 years makes a striking impression both inside and out, with its soaring towers and richly ornamented nave. A working monastery, São Bento hosts regular masses that are open to the public, and which include Gregorian chanting and a 6,000-pipe organ as key features. True to São Bento’s teachings (and luckily for both visitors and locals), the monks also engage in various labors, including producing traditional pastries at the on-site bakery.
The Monastery of São Bento is featured on a number of sightseeing itineraries, including walking tours, layover tours, and private excursions.