Cafúa das Mercês
About This Museum
Tucked away on a quiet street in the heart of São Luís's historic center, the Cafúa das Mercês feels more like a hidden secret than a formal museum. This unassuming building was once the city's slave market, a sobering fact that gives its whitewashed walls a heavy, profound weight. Today, it stands as the Museu da Negro, dedicated to preserving and honoring the immense cultural heritage and painful history of Afro-Brazilians in Maranhão. You'll find it just a short walk from the grander palaces, a poignant reminder of the foundations upon which this beautiful city was built.
Collection Highlights
Inside, you're greeted by powerful artifacts like the grim iron masks used to punish the enslaved. The collection shines, however, with vibrant examples of Tambor de Crioula, a local dance tradition, with dazzling costumes and drums that seem to still hold their rhythm.
Visitor Information
It's a small museum, so you won't need more than an hour. Just pop in during the afternoon—mornings can be quiet and it's not always open then. The staff are wonderfully knowledgeable if you have questions.
Architecture & Building
It's a simple, single-story colonial building with thick walls and a stark, rectangular facade, typical of the utilitarian structures from that era meant for trade and containment rather than beauty.
Contact & Location
Address: Cafuá das Mercês (Museu do Negro), 43, Rua Jacinto Maia, Desterro, Praia Grande, Centro, São Luís, Região Geográfica Imediata de São Luís, Região Geográfica Intermediária de São Luís, Maranhão, Região Nordeste, 65010-200, Brasil
Phone: +55 98 98722-3272
Website: Visit Website
