Olinda

Olinda is a historic city in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco.

Several indigenous tribes occupied the coast of Northeastern Brazil for several thousand years, and the hills of the present day municipality of Olinda had settlements of Caetés and Tupinambá tribes, which were frequently at war. French mercenaries are thought to be the first Europeans to get to the region, but the Portuguese exploited intertribal rivalries and managed to build a stronghold on the former Caeté village in the higher hill. Recent studies by the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco have uncovered new evidence of the pre-colonial population of the area. The settlement of Olinda was founded in 1535 by Duarte Coelho Pereira; it was elevated to a town in March 12, 1537. Olinda was the capital of the hereditary captaincy of Pernambuco, but was burned by Dutch invaders, who founded a new settlement, Recife, seven kilometres to the south.



Cathedrals .

Reviews



Have you been to Historic Centre of the Town of Olinda? Share your experiences!

Add your own review