Olinda
Olinda on the map of Pernambuco
Olinda ( from Portuguese Ó linda, " Oh, how beautiful " ) in the state of Pernambuco is one of the oldest cities in Brazil. The jewel of baroque architecture is still a reflection of European culture in the 17th and 18th century and since 1982 is on the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
History
The settlement Duarte Coelho Pereira 1535, the son of Gonçalo Coelho, founded on March 12, 1537 was charged to the city. Through the establishment of Carmelites ( 1580), Jesuits ( 1583 ), Franciscans (1585 ) and Benedictine ( 1586) won Olinda increasingly important for the Catholic Church. On July 15, 1614 Territorialprälatur Pernambuco was established with headquarters in Olinda. With the elevation of the Prelature of the diocese of Olinda, the city was a bishopric in 1676.
On February 16, 1630 Dutch troops took the city and conquered all in the wake of Pernambuco, which is part of Dutch Brazil was. Instead of the Dutch Olinda but a nearby trading post selected because of its strategic location by the sea to the new headquarters; from this soon Maurisstad mentioned settlement developed today Recife.
On November 24, 1631, large parts of Olinda were destroyed by fire.
After the reconquest of Pernambuco by the Portuguese in 1654, the county seat was moved back to Olinda, but over time, the city lost its importance more and more in favor of a Recife; 1837 was definitively lost its role as capital.
Apart from their beauty Olinda is one of the cultural centers of Brazil. Olinda is famous for its colorful street carnival. In the Cathedral of Olinda is the grave of Hélder Câmara.
Attractions
- Igreja da Misericordia
- Mosteiro de Sao Bento
- Museum of Contemporary Art in the old prison
- Igreja e Mosteiro de Nossa Senhora do Monte of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters
- Museum Mamelungo ( Brazil's first doll museum )
Sons and daughters of the town
- Chico Science, musicians
- Erasto Vasconcelos, Jazzperkussionist and composer