Duarte Coelho, donator of the Captainship of Pernambuco found a strategically place to install, in the high hills, where there was a small village called Marim, constructed by the indians, installing there the village that became Olinda. The Capital of Pernambuco until 1937, Olinda possesses important colonial architecture and because of this, in 1982, UNESCO declared its historic centre a Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The foundation of Olinda dates from 1535. The original small town was constructed by Duarte Coelho Pereira, the donee of the Captaincy of Pernambuco, and became Capital. A walking tour of the historic centre, where the Heights and Church da Sé (1537), the old slave market, the steep street to and the convent of São Francisco (1585), the Episcopal Palace and the São Bento Monastery.
Day 2. (Mon) – Olinda / Itamaracá
After breakfast catamaran to “Coroa do Avião”, where you find delicious seafood and enjoy bathing. Afternoon catamaran for lodging in Itamaracá. Nine years before Brazil’s discovery, (1491) Portuguese "had lived in Itamaracá in masonry houses". This is what it written in the 1o Judicial Process, in the Bayone Court, France, about the crimes of the Ship La Pélerine. Night with dinner and Ciranda show.
Day 3 (Tues) – Itamaracá Island
Eight years before the arrival of Duarte Coelho Pereira, Donator of the Captainship of Pernambuco, the Island was already inhabited by Portuguese. In 1526, Francisco Garcia celebrated mass in the Church of Nossa Sra. da Conceição, built in VILA VELHA. The village was constructed in 1534 by João Gonçalves on the edge of the Canal of Santa Cruz. In 1540, Itamaracá was raised to the category of Village by the CAP. Governor João Gonçalves. From that time to the end of XVI century, it was the gold period of the Island, because of the huge production of sugar and its devices: honey, rude sugar and aguardente. In 1631, the Dutch took the island and constructed the Orange Fort, in honor of the dutch Prince Frederique Enrique of Orange, Maurício de Nassau’s uncle. After breakfast trekking tour to Vila Velha and visit of the Orange Fort.
Day 4. (Wed) – Itamaracá / Igarassu / Catuama
Morning Catamaran to Itapissuma to visit Igarassu, cradle of the state’s history (1535), when it received the Portuguese entourage, which was led by the then donee Duarte Coelho Pereira, the Captain of Pernambuco. We will find roughly stoned streets, simple rows of houses, ancient ingenuities, and religious buildings, such as the church of the Saints Cosme and Damião (1535 – the oldest in Brazil) and the Convent of Santo Antônio, home of the gallery most representative of colonial art. Then on by catamaran, between mangroves, to Catuama.
Day 5 (Thurs) – Catuama / Goiana’s River Estuary
After breakfast we’ll navigate to the natural pool of Pedra da Galé, formed in the coral reefs which divide the open sea from the soft calm waters, when we’ll have the chance to feed colorful small fishes. As a matter of fact the Portuguese “caravelas” used to come alongside in Pedra da Galé and in small boats receive the sugar sacks fabricated in the region. After lunch we’ll navigate along Goiana’s River for lodging in Goiana. Dinner with Caboclinho folk dances.
Day 6. (Fri) – Goiana / Historic Tour
Morning visit the church of Our Lady of the Black’s Rosary, erected, probably, by Blacks in the XVI & XVII centuries and, the Sacred Art Museum in the Amparo’s Church. The Northeastern littoral offered such favourable conditions for the cultivation of sugar cane that it became a lucrative and less laborious activity. Favoured by the warm, humid climate, the fertile “massapê” (black clayish) soil and the flat relief, cane farming rapidly took over the region, initiating the sugar-cane cycle. We will visit old mansions and constructions from those prosperous times. Lunch and a visit to Engenho Uruaé (Sec XVII), framed in our history with beautiful Mansions and Chapels.
Day 7. (Sat) – Goiana / Aparauá / Recife
Morning treeking in the Atlantic Forest, attraction of the tour considered unmissable, sheltering 70 species of animals. We finish up tired, but only physically. Mentally you feel great. The natural reserve provides high-class typical food. Our intinerary includes trip by canoe along the wonderful atmosphere of a magic weir formed by streams descending from the Forest. Lodging in Goiana and dinner with Caboclinho folk dances
Day 8. (Sun) – Recife – Historic Tour
The years of Count Mauricio de Nassau’s government have gone down into history as the golden age of Dutch colonial rule. The talented politician and strategist transferred the seat of government from Olinda in 1637. A new city, Mauricea, sprung up, with paved streets, bridges and a level of urbanization previously unknown in Brazil. Two palaces crowned the labours of the administrator: Shipping, on the confluence of the Rivers Capibaribe and Beberibe, facing the sea, and Summer, outside the centre. The Governor-General surrounded himself with intellectuals, the painters Frans Prost and Albert Eckout being prominent amongst them. Then on to visit the Golden Chapel, the Synagogue, the Fort of Five Points, Sol and Aurora Streets, Brum Fort, the patio of São Pedro and Princesses’ Field. We suggest catamaran trip in Beberibe and Capibaribe rivers.
Av. Hélio
Falcão, 530 - Boa Viagem - Recife/PE - Brasil - 51021-070 | PABX: (55) 81-3328.6007 - rbm@rbmturismo.com.br
