Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Recife
9
The Portuguese, who had built Olinda on a hillside,
ignored the swampy islands below. The site of present-
day Recife was only a fishing village when the Dutch
took over Pernambuco in 1630. Count Maurice of
Nassau commanded the draining and dyking of the flat
islands at the mouth of the Rio Capibaribe. The islands
of Santo Antônio, Boa Vista, and Recife Antigo (Old
Recife) were connected to each other and the mainland
with an ingenious system of bridges. Boa Viagem,
south of Recife, has a popular beach, many hotels
and excellent nightlife.
E
Kahal Zur Israel Synagogue
Rua do Bom Jesus 197.
Tel
(081)
3224 2128.
#
9am-5pm Tue-Fri,
3-7pm Sun.
&
Built in 1637, during the city's
brief period of Dutch rule,
this synagogue recounts the
history of the Jewish commu-
nity in Recife. It was the first
synagogue anywhere in the
Americas. Many of the Jews,
who immigrated to Dutch-
controlled Recife, had
T
Forte Brum
P
Paço da
Alfândega
Rua da Alfândega 35.
Tel
(081) 3194 2100.
#
10am-10pm Mon-Sat,
noon-8pm Sun & public
hols.
7
www
.
pacoalfandega.com.br
Just on the edge of the
historical quarter, the Paço
da Alfândega brings together
the old and the new elements
of the city. Overlooking the
Rio Capibaribe, the former
customs building dates
back to 1826, when Recife
was one of Brazil's major
ports. The renovated building
houses restaurants, an art
gallery, and a shopping and
entertainment center.
PRAÇÅ
COMUNIDADE
LUSO-BRASILEIRA
Torre de
Malakoff
RECIFE
ANTIG
O
MARCO
ZERO
Kahal Zur
Israel Synagogue
Marco Zero in Praça Rio Branco, the
founding point of Old Recife
Ponte Buarque
de Macedo
0 meters
500
Exploring Recife Antigo
In the heart of downtown
Old Recife is the
Marco Zero
and the surrounding square,
which marks the official point
where the city was founded.
The site of the original pier,
it controlled all arrivals and
departures taking place in
the bay. Largely deserted
until a few years ago, the
now bustling district of the
city makes for a pleasant walk
during the day. It is possible
to take a boat from the square
across to the
Parque das
Esculturas
, which features an
imposing collection of tall,
exotic sculptures made by
the ceramic artist Francisco
Brennand
(see p219)
.
The most interesting street
in the historic quarter is
Rua
do Bom Jesus
. During the
brief period of Dutch rule, the
street was known as Rua dos
Judeus (Street of the Jews).
The Jewish community thrived
under Dutch rule, but once
the Catholic Portuguese
re-established their control,
most fled, converted, or went
underground. A large number
of the buildings on this street
have been restored to their
original 17th-century con-
dition. Every Sunday, the
street comes alive, as an art
and crafts fair, live music, and
outdoor festivities take place.
0 yards
500
Rio
Catredal de São
Pedro dos Clérigos
Praça da
Republica
Igreja São Francisco &
Capela Dourada
Ponte Sta
Isabel
RECIFE CITY CENTER
Casa da Cultura
9
Catedral de São Pedro
dos Clérigos
8
Forte das Cinco Pontas
5
Forte do Brum
4
Igreja São Francisco &
Capela Dourada
7
Instituto Ricardo
Brennand
0
Ponte Duarte
Coelho
Kahal Zur Israel
Synagogue
2
Oficina de Cerâmica
Francisco Brennard
q
Paço da Alfândega
1
Praça da República
6
Torre de Malakoff
3
Instituto Ricardo Brennand
7 miles (11 km)
Ponte da
Vista Boa
Oficina Cerâmica
Francisco Brennand
10 miles (16 km)
BOA
VISTA
Key to Symbols
see back flap
The well-preserved old buildings on Rua do Bom Jesus
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp378-9 and pp403-405
