Recife Port

In fact, it was the Dutch Prince Maurice of Nassau who founded Recife in 1637 on reclaimed land after his troops had burned Olinda, the original capital. Recife is an exotic fusion of ancient and modern, threaded by the rivers Capibaribe, Beberibe and Pina, Canal Tacaruna and edged by the scenic Boa Viagem beachfront. Although much of the city centre is given over to modern skyscrapers and office buildings, there are still a few quiet squares with a number of impressive churches and lovely public buildings as well as several interesting museums. The best buildings of interest are the churches of Santo Antonio do convento de Sao Francisco (1606), Capela Dourada (1697), Sao Pedro dos Clerigos (1782), Nossa Senhora da Conceicao do Militares and many others. Other sights include the Forte do Brum (1629) and Forte das Cinco Pontas (1630), both built by the DutchNearby is Olinda, founded in 1537, whose quaint cobbled streets and uniquely rich architectural and cultural heritage have deservedly gained National Monument and World Heritage site status.