Casa da Cultura de Pernambuco
gratuitoThe Casa da Cultura de Pernambuco occupies the former Casa de Detenção do Recife (Recife House of Detention), on the banks of the Capibaribe River, in the city center. The former cells became art and craft shops. It is a good fit for those who want to buy souvenirs and see a historic building, including on a rainy day.
Part of the guide Recife
Getting there from Porto de Galinhas
Porto de Galinhas is about 50 km from Recife. The Casa da Cultura is on Rua Floriano Peixoto, downtown. If you go by bus, you can take lines 195 and 191, which connect Porto de Galinhas to Cais de Santa Rita, in the São José neighborhood, also downtown.
Hours and admission
Open Monday to Saturday, 9:00 to 17:00, and on Sundays, 9:00 to 14:00. Admission is free.
What to see
The building served as a prison from 1855 to 1973 and was designed by engineer José Mamede Alves Ferreira. It is cross-shaped, with four three-story wings connected to a central surveillance point. It became the Casa da Cultura on April 14, 1976, with a restoration project by Lina Bo Bardi and Jorge Martins Júnior, based on an idea by Francisco Brennand. Today it houses more than a hundred art and craft shops, a theater, an amphitheater and two panels by Cícero Dias. Most of the shops are on the first floor, and in the East wing Cell 106 is preserved for visitors. Products include embroidered cloths, straw hats, clay dolls, sandals, clothing and decorated plates.
Before you go
On September 23, 2026, Iphan (Brazil's national heritage institute) approved federal heritage listing for the building, which already had state protection. The venue hosts workshops and performances throughout the year, announced on the @casadaculturadepernambuco profile. On Sundays it closes at 14:00, so go Monday to Saturday if you want more time for the shops.