Juazeiro do Norte
Brazil · Americas
About Juazeiro do Norte
Juazeiro do Norte is a city in the state of Ceará in northeastern Brazil. It is located 491 km south of the state capital Fortaleza in the semiarid sertão. The municipality has a population of 305.531 (2025 official estimate) and covers 248 km2.
Juazeiro do Norte is best known as the base of the charismatic priest and politician Padre Cícero (Cícero Romão Batista) (1844–1934). A pilgrimage in his honour takes place every November, attracting thousands of followers.
The city is served by Orlando Bezerra de Menezes Airport. Juazeiro do Norte is connected to the nearby city of Crato by a commuter rail line called the Cariri Metro that opened in 2009–2010.
Juazeiro do Norte was initially a district of the nearby city of Crato, until a young Padre Cícero Romão Batista decided to stay as a cleric in the village. Padre Cícero was then responsible for the independence and emancipation of the city. Because of the so-called "Milagre de Juazeiro" ("Miracle in Juazeiro", when Padre Cícero gave the sacred host to the religious sister Maria de Araújo, the host became blood), the priest was associated with mystical characteristics and began to be venerated by the people as a saint....
Juazeiro do Norte travel guide
Getting there
By bus The bus station is 3 km from the centre. Guanabara[1] has most departures. Taxi to the centre is R$ 10.
To Fortaleza, 6 hours To Crateús by TransCeará/Pernambucana, 3 daily, 7-8 hours, R$ 35. To João Pessoa(11 hours), via Sousa (3 hours), Patos and Campina Grande(9 hours) by Guanabara[2]
By plane Daily flights to Fortaleza, Petrolina, Recife, Brasília and São Paulo by Gol.
Getting around
A great number of buses pass by the western corner of Praça Padre Cicero, particularly at the terminal-like structure there.
See
Most of the sights revolve around the religious character Padre Cicero:
On Horto, a hill some 7 km nortwest of the centre, stands the statue of Padre Cicero, together with other dedications. Take bus Horto from Praça Padre Cicero, every hour on the hour. Memorial Padre Cicero. 08:00-17:00. Mostly pictures explaining life and work. Free.
Do
The last few days of October has 500 000 people coming to town, in a religious festival known as the Romaria.
Buy
There must be hundreds of tiny shops loaded with religious trinkets. Why not buy a two-inch Padre Cicero?
Eat
Lanchonete Vitória, Avenida Padre Cicero 438 (Half a block from the square). Late afternoon and evening. Burgers R$ 2-5, juices R$ 2-3. (updated Jan 2023)
Drink & nightlife
A few simple, open-air spots at Praça Padre Cicero.
Barzinho do Zé, Rua Padre Cicero 498 (One block up from the square). Lunch till late. A notch more sophisticated than its neighbours. Often live music. Set lunch at R$ 4,50. Large beer R$ 3.
Sleep
Dozens and dozens of pousadas in the center, particularly near Praça Padre Cicero. The cheapest (from R$ 10 per person) are on a strip of Rua São José, one block off the square.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.