Walking Tour of Sao Paulo: 4 of 5
Banespa Building – Best View of the City
If you walk straight outside the Catedral da Sé and down Rua João Bricola, you’ll pass the Pátio do Colégio on your right a couple blocks down. You can peek in to see the wonderful patio café (and have a coffee if you like) and also look at the grounds. Further down Rua João Bricola to number 24, is the Banespa Building.
Best View of the City
The Banespa Building offers free views of the city. You go in small groups to the top of the building where you can look out 360 degrees around São Paulo. Binoculars are provided, but be sure to bring your camera. And remember that the building is open during normal business hours only. No weekends or evenings.
The Empire State Building of South America
The Banespa building was constructed in 1939 and was modeled after the Empire State Building. At the time, this was the tallest building in South America. It remains the property of the Banespa Bank to this day.
We’ve saved the best for last. Your next and final stop on this walking tour is the food center of Sao Paulo, the Mercado Municipal, where you’ll find the famous “Mortadela Sandwich” and much more…
1. Memories of the Great Coffee Boom in South America’s Largest City
2. Theatro Municipal
3. Praça da Sé and Catedral
4. Banespa Building – Best View of the City
5. Mercado Municipal
