Largo de São Francisco

Returning to Rua Libero Badaró from the Viaduto do Chá [1] and continuing west, a short walk will bring you to the Largo de São Francisco. Crowning this square is one of São Paulo [2]’s oldest churches, the Igreja das Chagas do Seráphico Pai São Francisco (Largo de São Francisco 173, Centro, tel. 11/3106-5297, 7 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Fri., free). It is one of the city’s finest examples of baroque architecture; construction began in 1676 and lasted for well over a century. The well-preserved interior features plenty of gold-leaf paneling, which adds shimmers of light to this otherwise dimly lit church.

Also on the Largo is São Paulo’s highly reputed Faculade de Direito (Law Faculty) and the Igreja de São Francisco de Assis (Largo de São Francisco 133, Centro, tel. 11/3291-2400, 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Mon.–Sun., free). Though it has suffered many alterations over the centuries, this church retains its original adobe walls from the 17th century.