The main point of the neighborhood, Largo da Matriz is surrounded by bars and restaurants.
Freguesia do Ó is one of São Paulo’s oldest neighborhoods, with over 440 years of history. There, the ever-present atmosphere of a country town mixes with the structure of a modern metropolis. It’s definitely a place to fall in love with.
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And if you don’t know the neighborhood yet, but want to explore it, here are four tips for unmissable places to visit in Freguesia do Ó.
Largo da Matriz
The region’s most famous spot houses the Church of Nossa Senhora do Ó and maintains ancient traditions, including religious festivals and craft fairs. It is also surrounded by trendy bars, pubs and restaurants.
A curiosity? This is actually the second Largo da Matriz. The first one ended up abandoned after the original Mother Church was destroyed by fire in 1896. Five years later, in 1901, a new square and church were inaugurated, much larger than the previous ones.
Where: Largo da Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Ó, no number
Casa de Cultura Salvador Ligabue
The neighborhood’s main house of culture is located right behind the Church of Nossa Senhora do Ó. Workshops, art exhibitions, theater performances and concerts usually fill its halls. Its infrastructure includes an auditorium, activity rooms, a studio, an exhibition mezzanine and a reading area.
For the time being, there are no events scheduled to take place there, but it’s worth checking the agenda and the Instagram of the house.
Where: Largo da Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Ó, 215
FrangÓ
You can’t talk about Freguesia do Ó without mentioning one of the neighborhood’s most beloved bars. Opened in 1987 as a rotisserie, it occupies a historic mansion right next to Largo da Matriz. Over time, it has evolved into a traditional and cool bar, whose flagship dish is the delicious chicken coxinha. It also has a beer list with around 300 brands of beer.
Where: Largo da Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Ó, 168
Rosas de Ouro Society
Seven times champion of the São Paulo Carnival, Sociedade Rosas de Ouro lives in Freguesia! At parade time, the area’s bars and restaurants are packed with rose growers, who gather to watch their favorite school perform.
At the quadra, the emotion of a rehearsal is unparalleled, capable of infecting even the least dancing person on the tour. It’s worth booking a visit for after the pandemic!
Where: Rua Coronel Euclides Machado, 1066
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