Cuiabá is the capital of Brazil's western state of Mato Grosso. It is a friendly city with a lively centre an has many cultural attractions like churches as well as markets with handicrafts.
National Heritage Monuments in Cuiabá
The number of churches in Cuiabá is staggering and varies from Catholic to Presbyterian, from Baptist and Pentecostal to El Grande Templo de Assembléia de Deus. The city also has a mosque. On Sunday morning the churches are packed to the rafters. The Catholic churches may be open more often during the week for an early-morning or late-afternoon mass.
Several churches in Cuiabá, as well as in other towns of Mato Grosso, have been declared National Heritage Monuments. In Cuiabá these are, among others, Bom Despacho and Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário e Capela de São Benedito.
Churches in Cuiabá – Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário e Capela de São Benedito
The Jesuits were some of the first missionaries to reach the Mato Grosso region in the eighteenth century. Their legacy is honoured in the recently well restored church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário e Capela de São Benedito which dates from 1722. During the afternoons the adjacent administration office is open and the staff is happy to open the church door to those who are interested in the fabulously restored Baroque altar pieces and window panels.
Praça do Rosário. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 13-17pm.
Igreja do Bom Despacho in Cuiabá
Igreja do Bom Despacho is a neo-gothic church dating from 1818, its style reminiscent of the Notre Dame Church in Paris. The presence of only a few stained glass windows and lack of glittering decorations give the church an air of austerity. The church was constructed as part of a seminary but the latter no longer functions as such. The seminary has been restored and now houses Cuiabá's museum of sacred art.
Praça do Seminário. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 13-17pm.
Markets and Handicrafts in Cuiabá
Cuiabá is inhabited by a rich mixture of Indian, African and European descendants. The city's social life centres around the narrow streets of the old city, lined with pastel-tinted houses, as well as in shady plazas where vendors sell cold, fresh coconut juice, or snacks like churros – a deep fried dough – and tapioca: small pancakes made of manioc with either a sweet or salty filling.
Vendors sell handicrafts from pushcarts, as well as at the small artisan market which is situated in the narrow alley along the cathedral at the main square [Praça da Republica]. For lovers of handicrafts, check out the Casa de Artesão ["House of Handicraft"]. This museum displays indigenous arts like ceramics, wood and leather and gives insight into the art of Mato Grosso's Indian tribes. Apart from this museum, there are several other museums in Cuiabá to enjoy.
Rua 13 de Junho 315. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am-18pm / Sat-Sun 9am-18pm.
Places to Visit in Cuiabá – Churches, Museums and Handicraft shops
Cuiabá has interesting places to visit like museums as well as churches – the latter varying from old, restored churches to twentieth century, modern structures. The city's streets are alive with vendors selling handicrafts or local dishes.
Karin-Marijke Vis - Karin-Marijke Vis is a bilingual writer (Dutch-English) who has been traveling in Asia and South America since 2003.
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