Ecclesiae Filius

the Courtyard of São Pedro as a Historical and Cultural Heritage of 18th Century Recife

Abstract

The city of Recife, in Pernambuco, Brazil, like many other Portuguese-Brazilian cities, has a rich set of Catholic courtyards that shaped its urban fabric. However, research on how these spaces were developed and integrated into the urban context is still sparse. Therefore, considering the impact of churches and their courtyards on social practices, the configuration of public space, and the cultural identity of the civil/religious community in the city of Recife during the colonial period, this research aims to build a narrative about the architectural-religious heritage, focusing on the São Pedro Courtyard, a product of Christian hegemony in the colonial period. A bibliographic review was conducted on the construction and consolidation of Portuguese-Brazilian cities under the perspective of their contribution and their notorious influence on social culture, while they were a colony of Portugal. Finally, the initial hypothesis of the work is confirmed, considering that the São Pedro Courtyard transcends its original religious function and establishes itself as a multifaceted space of memory and identity in the city of Recife. According to the research results, the secular celebrations, processions, commercial activities, and cultural events held in the courtyard over the centuries have been strengthened as a meeting and socializing point for the population, which, in turn, contributed to the site's listing by the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN). This ratifies its relevance and represents a commitment to the preservation of this valuable built complex for future generations.

Keywords: Cultural Heritage. Recife (PE). São Pedro Courtyard.