Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Fortaleza
w
With pretty urban beaches, a pleasant year-round
climate, and a constant cooling breeze coming off the
ocean, Fortaleza has an appealing resort-like atmo-
sphere. Though founded in the early 1500s, Fortaleza
remained a small town until after Brazilian indepen-
dence in 1822. Fortaleza quickly developed into one of
Brazil's largest ports, exporting vast amounts of cotton
to England in particular. There is a small historic
section near the old port, now renovated as a nightlife
area called Praia de Iracema, but beyond that Fortaleza
has a rather modern feel, with apartment high-rises,
beach boulevards, and appealing outdoor cafés.
E
Museu do Ceará
Rua São Paulo 51.
Tel
(085) 3101
2611.
#
9am-5pm Tue-Sun.
&
8
The museum possesses a vast
archive of things relating to
the history of Ceará - coins,
medals, paintings, furniture,
indigenous artifacts, folk art,
and more. Its most prized
exhibit is the dagger belong-
ing to notorious outlaw
Lampião
(see p213)
.
P
Forte Nossa Senhora
da Assunção
Rua Maestro Alberto Nepomuceno
250.
Tel
(085) 3255 1600.
8am-
4:30pm Mon-Sat, 8am-noon Sun.
&
#
7
Fortaleza's oldest fort was
built by the Dutch in 1649
as Fort Schoonenborch. The
Portuguese captured and
re-christened it in 1654. The
five-pointed fort remains an
active military post to this day.
(
Mercado Central
Rua Maestro Alberto Nepomuceno
199.
Tel
(085) 3454 8586.
8am-
7pm Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm Sat, 8am-
noon Sun.
#
Brightly painted colonial buildings lining the streets
7
Fortaleza's central market is the
cheapest place in town to pick
up some fine leatherwork,
lace, or textiles. The market is
also an excellent place to
sample local ice cream made
from regional fruits.
F
Teatro José de Alencar
Praça José de Alencar s/n.
Tel
(085)
3101 2583.
(
Centro de Turismo
Rua Senador Pompeu 350.
Tel
(085)
3101 5508.
#
8am-5pm Mon-Fri,
7am-6pm Mon-Sat,
7am-noon Sun.
#
8am-noon Sat.
&
8
7
7
This formerly grim
Victorian prison has
been transformed
into a bustling
market, with a dif-
ferent shop in each
of the old jail cells.
The market spe-
cializes in local
handicrafts, includ-
ing fine lace, leather, and
figurines. The market is a
good place to stock up on
top-quality cashew nuts.
Named after one
of Brazil's famous
novelists, the Teatro
José de Alencar was
built in 1908. The
theater's high-
Victorian cast-iron
structure was imp-
orted straight from
Glasgow. Additional
elements, such as the stained-
glass windows and interior
furnishings, were done in
the Art Nouveau style.
FORTALEZA
Centro de Turismo
2
Forte Nossa Senhora da
Assunção
4
Mercado Central
5
Museu do Ceará
3
Praia de Cumbuco
9
Praia de Iracema
6
Praia de Meireles
7
Praia do Futuro
8
Teatro José de Alencar
1
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For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp379-81 and pp405-406
