Fortaleza Landmarks and Monuments

(Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil)

There are some very handsome and historical landmarks located around central Fortaleza, adding a certain character to the city centre. The Praca do Ferreira forms the main city square and is surrounded by old buildings, shops and restaurants, while the Praca José de Alencar is known in Fortaleza for its plentiful greenery and street entertainment.

Specific city landmarks deserving a mention include the Teatro José de Alencar (José de Alencar Theatre) on the Rua Liberato Barroso, the Igreja da Sé Catedral (Metropolitan Cathedral) on the Rua Sobral, the Palacio da Luz (Palace of Light) on the Rua do Rosário, and the city's various waterfront statues, such as the Estátua de Iracema. Fortaleza is also home to the Universidade Federal do Ceará (Federal University of Ceará), which was founded in 1955 and comprises a number of college buildings.

Teatro José de Alencar (José de Alencar Theatre)

Address: Rua Liberato Barroso 525, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 085 3101 2583
An architectural landmark in its own right, the Teatro José de Alencar stands on the Rua Liberato Barroso, just a few blocks north of the Praca Clovis Bevilaqua. Restored in the early 1990s, this theatre opened in 1910 and features an ornate art-nouveau facade, seating for audiences of 120 people, an inner courtyard and regular performances. Attached to the Teatro José de Alencar is a large annex, which houses the slightly smaller Teatro Morro do Ouro and also the Centro de Artes Cenicas - CENA (Center for the Arts Scenic). Outside there is a beautiful landscaped 'theatre garden', where outdoor events often take place.
Open hours: daily - hours vary according to performance
Admission: charge

Igreja da Sé Catedral / Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral)

Address: Rua Sobral 1, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 085 3231 4196
Known locally as both the Igreja da Sé Catedral and the Catedral Metropolitana, Fortaleza's magnificent Metropolitan Cathedral is located part-way between the Praca do Ferreira and the Praca dos Martires. Construction of this important local landmark was slow, beginning in 1939 and lasting almost 40 years, when it was finally inaugurated and used as a place of worship at the end of 1978. The architecture is very much Gothic-Roman in style and inside you will discover a vast interior with elaborate mosaics, capable of accommodating some 5,000 people, making this church one of Brazil's biggest. Contrasting with the surrounding modern buildings and car parks, the cathedral successfully adds much-needed character to this part of the city.
Open hours: daily, masses - Tuesday to Sunday
Admission: free

Palacio da Luz (Palace of Light)

Address: Rua do Rosário 1, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 085 3253 4275
Formerly functioning as the headquarters for the Ceará government, the Palacio da Luz is an attractive building dating back to the latter part of the 18th century. The palace was officially acquired by the state government in 1814 and today plays host to the Academia Cearense de Letras, as well as a research library brimming with more than 15,000 books.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 13:00, 14:00 to 18:00
Admission: free

Forte de Nossa Senhora da Assuncao (Fortress of Our Lady of the Assumption)

Address: Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, BR
The Forte de Nossa Senhora da Assuncao is central to local history and was completed by the Dutch in 1649, when it was named as Forte Schoonenborch (Fort Schoonenborch). Just five years later, the Portuguese stepped in an claimed the fortress as their own, expelling the invaders and renaming it as the Forte de Nossa Senhora da Assuncao. Refurbished a number of times over the years, the fortress has been used as the headquarters for the 10a Regiao Militar do Exército Brasileiro (10th Military Region of the Brazilian Army) since the mid-20th century. A small museum is housed within the fort, dedicated to the life of General Antonio de Sampaio - a local hero known for his part in the 19th-century War of Paraguay.
Open hours: by appointment only
Admission: charge

Estoril Centro Cultural (Estoril Cultural Centre)

Address: Rua dos Tabajaras 397, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 085 3219 8389
Standing on the Rua dos Tabajaras and close to the Praia de Iracema, Fortaleza's highly regarded Estoril Centro Cultural was constructed in the 1920s, when it was named as the Vila Morena. This mansion has taken on various different functions since being built, becoming a popular casino and then a very upmarket restaurant, and during the Second World War it even became a refuge for important intellectuals. In 1995, the structure was considered to be unsafe and the future of the landmark looked uncertain. Now fully restored, the Estoril functions as a Cultural Centre, regularly staging exhibitions and hosting local events.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free