Angra dos Reis has numerous churches from the colonial period, from the 17th and 18th centuries, which tell a little about the history, architecture and religiosity of Brazil. Part of this collection is distributed throughout the streets of the Center, and it is possible to discover all this heritage on foot, in around two hours. Start your tour at the Church and Convent of Carmo, which faces the sea and suffered some bombings during the attempted French invasions. Next to the Carmo church is Praça General Osório which houses the famous Fountain of Marquês do Herval, founded in 1881, also called Chafariz dos Dragões. It is one of the most photographed spots in the center of Angra.

Walk along Rua do Comércio, the first in Angra and the busiest in the center, and reach the Santa Luzia Church, known as the “church of the eyes”, built in 1632 on the promise of a former resident who asked his daughter to be able to see. It is entirely in Baroque style and was the headquarters until 1749. Also visit the Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora Imaculada Conceição, one of the oldest in Brazil and with a very rich interior with pieces donated by the king of Portugal in 1750. And end the tour at Largo do Mercado, where there are more colonial houses and a small round building, Mercado Redondo, where fresh fish and seafood are sold on weekends. There are also some craft stalls nearby.

Where it is: Center of Angra dos Reis, Costa Verde

Nossa Senhora da Conceição Parish Church - Rua Pereira Peixoto, 105, Center, Angra dos Reis
Church and Convent of Carmo - R. Frei Inácio, S/N - Center, Angra dos Reis
Marquês do Herval Fountain - General Osório Square, Center, Angra dos Reis
Santa Luzia Church - lane Santa Luzia, 72 - Center, Angra dos Reis
Round Market - R. Arcebispo Santos, 128-182 - Center, Angra dos Reis

How to get there: by car (160 km separate Rio de Janeiro from Angra dos Reis. If you leave the state capital, just take the BR-101 for a trip of around 2h40), by bus (Leaving RJ at the Bus Terminal Novo Rio)