São Bento Monastery
A white abbey crowns a hill above the old waterfront, and Benedictine monks still live there.
On the hill above the old waterfront, a white abbey crowns the water.
The plain church front turns toward the island and the water beyond Praça Mauá.
A plain white building sits beside the abbey church on the same hill.
Plain colonial walls stand beside the mannerist church, a wing of the same hilltop complex.
From Lapa, a short ride reaches the abbey on its hill. Walking the same streets takes about 25 minutes.
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Stay nearby
Stay at Mural da Lapa; the Mosteiro de São Bento is about 25 minutes on foot, near Praça Mauá in Centro.