Poço Redondo: Cangaço heritage, festivals and landscapes

Poço Redondo brings together the memory of Lampião, religious festivals, vibrant handicrafts and striking landscapes. Travelers looking for more than one focus for their trip will find plenty to explore, from Serra Negra to the festivals in Curralinho and Bonsucesso. When choosing a vacation rental, you can first consider whether culture, local traditions or nature experiences will shape your stay.

Cangaço heritage and religious festivals

Grota de Angicos in Poço Redondo is where Virgulino Ferreira da Silva, known as Lampião, was killed. Praça Lampião is also part of the destination’s cultural memory: tourists visit the square, which serves as a meeting point for attendees of the Missa do Cangaço and recalls the start of the Semana do Cangaço celebrations. The Missa do Cangaço is organized by the Poço Redondo city government in partnership with the Sociedade do Cangaço in Aracaju and has been held annually since 1998. On July 28, it led to Grota do Angico, where the mass continues to be celebrated.

In Curralinho, the church and festival tradition are closely connected. Igreja de Santo Antônio was built in the late 19th century. The Festa de Santo Antônio takes place at the church and in its surroundings from June 1 to 13. Also in Curralinho is Capela de Nossa Senhora da Conceição. It was the first religious building in the area and, according to local tradition, was built in 1874. Visitors interested in local history and religious traditions can see these two sites as different ways of exploring Curralinho’s history.

In Bonsucesso, the Festa de São Sebastião has been celebrated annually for more than 100 years. It begins about two weeks before January 20, the feast day of Saint Sebastian. This means its timing differs from the Festa de Santo Antônio in June.

Riverside and highland landscapes

Serra Negra reaches an elevation of more than 742 meters on the border between Poço Redondo and Bahia. It is a distinctive landscape feature for anyone who wants to discover Poço Redondo beyond its cultural attractions. Bonsucesso lies on the São Francisco River. The village has a small island with a prayer chapel; the island also contains an old cemetery and, visible from its highest point, an old sunken Chata-type boat.

Another natural highlight is Cachoeira de Bom Jardim: the waterfall has a lake formed between quartz walls along the Rio Jacaré. Those particularly interested in waterscapes can consider this site alongside the riverside landscape of Bonsucesso; both are distinct aspects of the nature around Poço Redondo. There are also rock paintings near the settlement of Monte Alegre Velho. The Serra da Guia Quilombo community celebrates its main festivals at Alto da Serra in honor of Santa Cruz and Nossa Senhora da Imaculada Conceição.

Handicrafts and regional discoveries

Local working traditions also give Poço Redondo its distinctive character. Making sweets from Coroa-de-Frade is a cultural asset of importance to the community. As Filhas da Renda, a group from Poço Redondo, makes lace using the bobbin-lace technique. Its products include tablecloths, table runners, blouses, dresses and accessories such as bags, earrings and necklaces. The five lacemakers meet weekly to work together, exchange experiences and discuss the group’s activities. Alongside historical and religious themes, this brings contemporary community-based crafts into focus.

Poço Redondo is one of ten municipalities on the Aracaju–Xingó route. The route offers adventure sports and ecological trails through the Caatinga and along the São Francisco River. These different themes can help you weigh up the focus of your trip before choosing accommodation: historic sites and festivals, riverside and highland landscapes, or craft traditions. More destinations: Indiaroba, Nossa Senhora da Glória, Capela, Itabaiana, Brejo Grande.

For the overall travel guide: Sergipe.