Easily São Paulo’s most beautiful and haunting house of worship, São Bento Monastery dates back to 1598 (though its neo-Gothic facade is purely 20th century). An evocative confection of stunning stained glass and eclectic Germanic detail, it’s at its most cinematic when sound-tracked by Gregorian chanting at mass (7 a.m. weekdays, 6 a.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. Sundays). It’s a destination for foodies as well: The on-site bakery features legendary monk-made delicacies.
