NORTHEAST OF BRAZIL - General Information
THE MANY DOORS
OF THE SUN
Officially, the Atlantic region has 9 states. But, in practice, they are
10. The doors are open to the northeast at the Espírito Santo state,
its natural, cultural and gastronomic resources offer the possibility
to observe the Ruschi Augustus Reserve, the most diverse population of
hummingbirds in the world.
BAHIA OF ALL SAINTS
Brazil was actually “born” in the Northeast, specifically
in Bahia, home of the first capital of the country with a coastline of
932 km. In the capital, Salvador da Bahia, start your journey in the gazebo
located at Elevador Lacerda, which connects uptown to downtown. Find out
the Bay of All Saints and then go down the elevator, cross the street
and head to the Mercado Modelo.
WHERE IT ALL BEGINS
The initiated into the mysteries of Candomblé ensure that all paths
begin and meet in the markets. Before, walking in the streets and alleys
of Salvador, go to the Mercado Modelo. Before entering, please be aware
that in the black religious culture, markets are protected by Exu, the
Lord of the Ways. Inside, they sell beans, herbs, leaves and ritual african-Bahia
objects. Take the opportunity to begin to unravel the secrets of African
cuisine in the restaurants of the Camafeu de Oxóssi and Maria de
São Pedro.
YEMANJÁ WATERS
A legend says that Yemanjá, the sea goddess, is the mother of most
African orishas. In this Orisha Bahia pleople devote a memorable party
in the neighborhood of Rio Vermelho. Dive into
the salty waters of the goddess between Barra beach and lagoon Itapoã.
Do not miss the beach, Praia do Forte, the Tamar Project – a project
for the protection of marine turtles, which has saved 300 000 pups of
the species.
WALKING THROUGH HISTORY
Start at the city's historic center, Pelourinho, the largest collection
of Baroque architecture in Latin America, declared a World Heritage Site
by Unesco. Before heading down the hill, visit the Afro-Brazilian Museum
in the Shrine of Jesus.
CHURCHES
Bahia locals tell that there are 365 churches in the city, one for each
day of the year. As in the Shrine of Jesus, the magnificent Basilica Cathedral.
Next to it, there is the church of St. Francisco de Assis, with arabesques
in gold-plated wood. The best known and popular church in Bahia is the
Lord of Bonfim, the scene of a party of enormous proportion, the Washing
of Bonfim, held every second Thursday of January.
MUSEUMS
Salvador houses the most diverse set of museums in the country. At the
Museum of Sacred Art it is the largest collection of religious art in
Brazil. Carlos Pinto museum houses an impressive collection of china and
cutlery. Visit also the Museum of Carmo, with pieces of furniture and
silver.
ITAPARICA ISLAND
In front of Salvador, on the other side of the bay, it is the island of
Itaparica. The crossing is done by ferry-boat. The island has strong and
colonial houses of the sixteenth century.
SERGIPE
The next stop along the paths of the sun is in Sergipe, where you can
taste delicious crabs at kiosks at Atalaia Velha beach. The coastline
of the state offers first class attractions such as beaches Aruana and
Robalo, with sand dunes and coconut trees. 15 km from Aracaju, get down
to the beach of Atalaia Nova, with calm seas and little waves.
MUSEUM
In Aracaju, while tasting sweet genipap, typical fruit of the state, visit
the museum Rosa Faria, with an exhibition of porcelain plates and tile
panels.
AN OLD CHARM
Sergipe offers visitors historic cities. St. Cristovão, 26 km from
Aracaju, was transformed into a national monument and should be covered
on foot. The visitor will be enchanted with churches, museums and great
houses.
TRADITIONAL PARTIES
In Estancia, 59 km from the capital, great traditional parties happen
between June 10 and July 9. In Laranjeiras, enjoy many folklore dances:
reisado, congada, cacumbi, and cheganças e taieiras.
ALAGOAS, THE SUN
Alagoas offers some of the most captivating beaches of the Northeast.
On the coast of Maceió, the beaches of Ponta Verde and Pajuçara
offer natural beauty and excitement. The enchantment continues outside
the urban perimeter, on the beach called Praia do Francês, with
reefs forming pools of warm water. 29 km from Maceió, it is the
colonial town of Barra de São Miguel, ideal for surfing.
A RID
On the waterfront of Barra de Santo Antônio, embark towards the
island of Croa. The beach is almost deserted, with pools of corals. -
When hungry, look for kiosks and have some oysters, shrimp and fresh fish.
HISTORY
Marechal Deodoro, 31 km from Maceió, is a historic site full of
artistic monuments, such as the Convent of San Francisco, and popular
events, such as coco de roda, and chegança and pastoril.
RECIFE, TWO CITIES IN ONE
Coveted, in the colonial era, by the Dutch, who dominated and bequeathed
to the architectural heritage of the city's fort - Brum and Cinco Pontas,
Recife, capital of Pernambuco, founded in 1537, combines the memory of
the past with the pace of the big cities. Going beyond its limits, 7 km
from the center, it becomes the historic Olinda, declared by UNESCO as
a World Heritage Site.
PAVING STONES
Unleash Recife starting from the courtyard of St. Peter, surrounded by
colonial mansions and blessed by the church of Saint Peter of Clerics,
built in the eighteenth century made by Portuguese stonework with Baroque
doors in rosewood. Then visit the district of Recife, with its old houses.
CHURCHES
Before crossing one of the two bridges connecting the ancient to the modern
Recife, walk down the narrow streets of the seventeenth century, get involved
in an environment steeped in Indian, Lusitanian and Dutch traditions,
such as the churches of Santíssimo Sacramento, Nossa Senhora do
Carmo and Madre de Deus.
MUSEUMS
Two important cultural centers are: the Francisco Brennand and the Northeast
museums.
BEACHES
Surrender to the sea on the beach of Boa Viagem. The waters are warm and
there is an excellent tourist infrastructure. For those who want isolation,
35km from Recife, the beaches of Galhetas and Gabu are ideal. There is
also Porto de Galinhas, with its beach of clear waters, protected by coral
reefs.
THE DUTCH
When in the seventeenth century, the Dutch invaded Brazil in Pernambuco,
they built the Fort Orange to resist the Portuguese. At Itamaracá
Island - 49 km from Recife.
OLINDA
Preserved from the sixteenth century, the historic city of Olinda is a
busy place for those lovers of the nightlife. Stage of a frantic carnival,
marked by the rhythm of frevo. In its steep streets, breathes history
and beauty. Especially within some magnificent churches, such as the Convent
of St. Francisco and Saint Benedict's Monastery.
INTERIOR
At 51 km from Caruaru, in Brejo da Madre de Deus during the Holy Week
is staged a spectacle at an outdoor theater in New Jerusalem. Going up
the BR-104, the next destination is Campina Grande, Paraiba, capital of
forro - it happens in June, the biggest party of São João.
PARAIBA
In João Pessoa, Ponta do Seixas, located in Cabo Branco, is the
easternmost point of South America. In João Pessoa, the beache
of Tambaba is the favorite one, with harsh vegetation, high cliffs. It
is ideal for those looking for peace and quiet.
THE DUNES OF RIO GRANDE DO NORTE
The dunes are amazing. Surrender to the pleasure of riding a buggy at
Bald Hill. You are in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. For surfers, the destination
is the beach of the Artists. 36 km from Natal, there is Genipabu dunes.
Enjoy a buggy ride!
CEARÁ: RAFTS AND LACE - Only in
1649 the Portuguese landed in Ceará to fight the French invaders.
Then, they discovered some of the loveliest beaches in the world. Start
your journey from Fortaleza. The itinerary begins at Avenida Beira-Mar.
The first beach to be known is Iracema, where the sunsetting is the attraction.
Another option is the Mucuripe Beach, where you can witness the spectacle
of the rafts coming back to mainland.
