The Convent of the Mercedárias is one of the few surviving colonial religious complexes in São Luís, a large 18th-century building with an arcaded cloister and a church attached. The Mercedárian Sisters, a Catholic religious order, operated this convent for centuries. Parts of the building have been converted to cultural uses and are accessible to visitors.
The cloister is peaceful and beautiful, a contrast to the bustle of the streets outside. The tile work here is among the finest in the historic centre. If you're spending time in Praia Grande, the convent is worth a detour off the main tourist route.