Pátio do Colégio (School Yard), Sao Paulo

Pátio do Colégio refers to the yard in front of this historic Jesuit church. The Pátio do Colégio marks the site where São Paulo was founded in 1554. The Jesuit school was a simple hut covered with palm leaves when priests celebrated the inaugural mass in 1554.

The associated buildings have been re-built and re-constructed many times over the history of the Jesuit mission. In 1953, the church was rebuilt to reflect colonial architecture and Mannerist style from the 17th century.

Today, the site contains Anchieta Museum. The museum contains more than 600 items describing the Jesuit mission in Brazil. Visitors will find paintings, sculptures, and altarpieces. There's also a scale model of the Pátio do Colégio which shows what the area looked like in 1554.

There's a café on-site with a pleasant garden attached. This is a lovely place to rest and contemplate. In the yard, visitors will notice the impressive Immortal Glory to the Founders of São Paulo monument.