Historic Centre of the Town of Olinda In Brazil

Historic Centre of the Town of Olinda - Brazil

Founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese, the history of the city is connected with the cane sector industry. Rebuilt after being plundered by the Dutch, the urban structure dating back to the 18th century. The harmonious balance between the buildings, gardens, 20 baroque churches, monasteries and many small passos (chapels) all contribute to Olinda charm.

Description

The historic center of Olinda, where is located a few kilometers to the north of the port installations, industrial zones and skyscrapers of Recife, still has the charm of a city museum of the colonial period. Olinda was founded in 1537 by the Portuguese Duarte Coelho Pereira and debts the rapid increase in the cultivation of sugar cane in the Pernambuco region with slave labor. From the 16th century, churches and monasteries, of which there are only few examples, such as the church of São João exist today, were built by religious missions. The Dutch occupied the area from 1630 to 1654 and during the occupation a well planned city was built where current Recife is located. Pernambuco was skillfully governed by the Dutch and flourished with the production of sugar in the plantations are located in the rich alluvial soil along the coast. The invaders burned down Olinda, although they have a quiet and developed administration centerd in Recife.

Portuguese rule replaced by the Dutch in Pernambuco in 1654 and Olinda recovered; once again it was a major Brazilian village, as a developed cultural center. In the beginning of the 18th century is a bitter rivalry between Olinda, the administrative capital of the captaincy and the residence of rich aristocratic plantation owners and Recife, who was the commercial center, mainly occupied by traders, victuallers and warehousing. Recife continued to grow, although Olinda declined, and in 1827 it was the capital of the province. In 1817 Pernambuco was the scene of a local armed insurrection against Portuguese rule. It remained for many years a seedbed of but and revolutionary agitation, and it was the site of failed coups against Portuguese rule in 1821-22, 1824, 1831 and 1848. Pernambuco was a condition of the Brazilian Republic in 1891.

The essential urban structure of Olinda dating back to the 18th century, but it contains a number of older monuments. Among the more important buildings of Olinda, the Episcopal Church, the Jesuit College and Church (now the Church of Graça), the Franciscan, carmelite cloister is warmly welcoming its guests, Benedictine and other convents and monasteries, and the Misericórdia, Amparo and Sao Joao Batista churches. The unique quality of the Historic Center stems from the balance sheet, which in general is maintained, between the private and public buildings and the gardens of the early country awarded. It is a city full of unexpected vistas: one of the many baroque churches and monasteries and the many passos (chapels and oratories) appears unexpectedly when running a corner. The refinements of the decor of this conscious architectural structures contrasts with the charming simplicity of the houses are painted in vibrant colors or faced with ceramic tiles.

In the last few decades, Olinda, a city of art, much appreciated by artists - has been the subject of numerous precautionary measures. Notable buildings such as the Church of Graça, with the former Jesuit College, the monastery do Carmo and the Episcopal Palace are all more or less completely restored. The construction of new complexes is controlled by a master plan and the zone of protection was extended in 1979.

Source:whc/unesco