South America
Brazil
State of Pernambuco (PE)
Recife
Things to do in Recife
Pernambuco House of Culture

Pernambuco House of Culture, Recife: Hours, Address, Pernambuco House of Culture Reviews: 4/5

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Pernambuco House of Culture

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Pernambuco House of Culture
4
2,813
#27 of 217 things to do in Recife
Speciality Museums • Architectural Buildings • Educational sites
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
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About
Traditional music and dance shows are performed outside this cultural arts center, at one time a colonial prison, which now houses craft and souvenir shops and provides tourist information.
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4.0
2,813 reviews
Excellent
1,188
Very good
1,140
Average
426
Poor
44
Terrible
15
RandyRoss
Ridgetown, Canada7,067 contributions
Artisan Market
Feb. 2020
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.
Written 15 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
pilipili2009
Anvers316 contributions
wrong concept
Aug. 2019
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.
Written 4 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ferdutch
Amsterdam, The Netherlands29 contributions
Very nice place
Mar. 2019 • Couples
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.
Written 15 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LuizDutraNeto
Rio de Janeiro, RJ8,613 contributions
At the old State Prison ...
Jun. 2018 • Friends
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!
Written 1 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
saronic
Zurich, Switzerland19,411 contributions
shops in former cells
Nov. 2017 • Solo
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.
Written 28 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
AGED NOMAD
Hermanus, South Africa616 contributions
INTERESTING BUILDING
May 2018 • Couples
The building was originally a jail and it is interesting to see how it was set out for this purpose. Nowadays, what had been cells are now all, or nearly all, small shops selling mainly touristic memorabilia, clothing, etc. There are quite a number of individual shops but they tend all to sell much the same goods so there is not the variety one might hope for.
Written 16 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
960maartenr
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso248 contributions
Impressive prison turned into cultural place
Apr. 2018 • Couples
The buildings has been restored quite a while ago and has been turned into a collection of art shops. Impressive but rather obscure, and many of the shops sell the same stuff
Written 9 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Fredgd2004NYC
New York64 contributions
Great Experience -- no parking!!!
Jun. 2017 • Business
Its always good to visit the artisans, wood carvers and needle-point artists at this wonderful building in Old Recife. It used to be a prison, so the little arts and craft shops are what used to be the cells - the bars on the doors remain. So the feel is very rustic and authentic. My one qualm with it is the lack of parking.. quite annoying actually. So take Uber if you are going LOL.. but totally worth the experience..
Written 22 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
TwoAndAHalfTraveller
Vejle, Denmark749 contributions
Oh my god....no....Just NO.
Mar. 2017 • Family
Biggest tourist trap we have ever been to. There is plenty of opportunity to do souvenir shopping, but that is it.
It is a old prison and that is kind of interesting. Every cell is a new shop, but all selling pretty much the same.

If you are here when a cruise ship arrives the place is totally flooded with people.

My advice is to NOT go here unless you have a big souvenir emergency.
Written 23 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Anthony S
Brisbane, Australia1,614 contributions
Good craft shopping in a great building
Feb. 2017 • Couples
This is an interesting converted jail offering many small stores with craft and souvenirs. The stores are located I. The cells and therefore very small but they do offe a wide variety of items and there is no pressure sales.

Pleasant place to spend an hour.
Written 23 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Pernambuco House of Culture
Pernambuco House of Culture is open:
  • Sun - Sun 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
  • Mon - Fri 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Sat - Sat 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
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