Please take a moment to review Hachette Book Group's updated Privacy Policy: read the updated policy here. Narrow cobblestoned alleys, grand baroque churches, turn-of-theth-century Parisian-inspired avenues and architecture, and the ubiquitous high-rises and urban chaos of a 21st-century megalopolis make up a bewildering if often fascinating patchwork.
Although some areas are sorely neglected, many museums and cultural centers have opened or have been revamped as part of an effort to revitalize the area.
Despite the traffic, navigating the area is quite easy on foot. Although during the day and into the early evening Centro is usually jam-packed, at night and on weekends the area is as quiet as a ghost town and quite unsafe to stroll around. Today, it houses interesting temporary exhibits of contemporary art. Today, these twisting streets are home to a vibrant collection of restaurants and bars where workers from the neighborhood congregate for a quick lunch or an after-work beer or caipirinha.
Although the exterior retains little of its original facade, the interior is a rococo feast with altars richly decorated in silver and a splendid panel of Nossa Senhora do Carmo.
These former administrative palaces underwent inspired renovations in recent times and now operate as dynamic cultural centers. Most of the usually very engaging art exhibitions are free, as are many of the musical events. Aside from temporary art exhibits, there is a small bookstore and a charming French bistro. Since the s it has served as the headquarters for Banco do Brasil which explains the convenient presence of ATMs in the foyer.
