2,806Reviews7Q&A
Reviews
Traveller rating
- 1,185
- 1,136
- 427
- 44
- 14
Traveller type
Time of year
Language
More
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Popular mentions
+1
The old Pernambuco State Prison has been transformed into an artisan market. Our cruise ship (Volendam) had a free shuttle here, so that's where everyone went. There were some nice things here but it seemed a bit sparsely populated for such a large location.
Read more
Date of experience: February 2020
Helpful
Nice idea to transform a prison in a artisan shopping centre. From a shopping experience point of view, it has something special to offer. Shops are small, and most have a similar mix of products. Would make much more sense to make sure shops specialise in certain items. We did not buy a single item at this centre. We found much more interesting things to buy at the mercado de sao jose where we bought hammocks, clothes, kitchen utensils and many small presents.…
Read more
Date of experience: August 2019
Helpful
I really enjoyed it there so many handmade items they sell there, it is not very big so it does not take a long time to see everything, the only issue is that I think it is a bit expensive what they sell there, that's really not necessary.
Read more
Date of experience: March 2019
Helpful
+1
The old construction, built between 1850 and 1867, housed the Pernambuco State Prison for over a hundred years. In 1976, after the closing of the prison and major renovation works, the former cells were converted into small shops and "Casa da Cultura de Pernambuco" was inaugurated. Today, it houses over 150 art and souvenir shops, including a bookshop, a snack bar and a restaurant serving regional specialties. It is interesting to visit the historical building, imagining how prisons looked in the 19th century ... Take a look at the shops, find some souvenirs to take back home and, depending on how many items you are buying, a little haggling, a small discount ... And keep going, there is so much to see in Recife. Enjoy!…
Read more
Date of experience: June 2018
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
+1
The 'Pernambuco House of Culture' was of interest to me architectonally as a former prison, dating from the mid-19th century - a cruciform building in tne Empire style. The place lasted as a prison for a bit more than 100 years. After it closed down, the local artist Francisco Brennand, known for his sculptures on the reef of Recife, made the suggestion to turn the place into a Cultural Center. What the visitor will find here no are many souvenir shops on three levels in the former prison cells. I soon discovered that this is not a place to spend too much time in.…
Read more
Date of experience: November 2017
Helpful
