Olinda, Brazil
Registration Year
Registered Sector
Historical Function
Location and site
Historical Reference
- After its foundation in 1535 by the Portuguese explorer Duarte Coelho, Olinda enjoyed rapid prosperity thanks to the sugar trade. Sugar was in high demand on the international market during the 16th and 17th centuries. At the end of the 16th century, when the city was at the peak of its participation in that market, several religious orders, including the Jesuits, settled in Olinda; a number of churches and convents were built.
- After trying to gain control over the sugar trade in 1631, the troops of the Dutch West Indies Company sacked and then burned the city of Olinda. With the return of the Portuguese in 1654, Olinda resumed its role as the seat of the regional government. Reconstruction was undertaken but progress was slow due to the fact that the governor resided in Recife rather than in Olinda. Nevertheless, Olinda attained new status as the Episcopal See and as a city in 1656.
- In the 18th century, the essential parts of Olinda's urban fabric were in place, and the city became a centre for the arts and letters. In 1800, the Diocesan Seminary was constructed; it was here that many of the intellectuals who were to promote the independence of the Nordeste and Republican movements were educated. Olinda maintained its status as the capital city until 1827.
Urban Morphology
In this city with its hilly topography, religious monuments were the major landmarks. They were linked by tortuous streets which formed the basis of Olinda's irregular urban plan. Squares developed around the churches and at the intersection of streets that varied in width. The architecture of Olinda developed in the midst of a profuse tropical vegetation and a comfortable balance was maintained between the two main components of its landscape.
The prominent public buildings include the Cathedral and about 20 Baroque churches, convents and colleges. The residential architecture, which brings together the Portuguese and Brazilian heritage of the city, includes 17th-century dwellings decorated with mashrabiyas, and 18th-century houses covered in tiles, as well as more recent homes. The brightly painted houses create colourful streetscapes.
Registration Criteria
C (ii, iv).
Contact
| Sr. Renildo Calheiros Alcalde de Olinda | Prefeitura Municipal de Olinda Palacio dos Governadores Rua de São Bento, 123 Varadouro Rua de São Bento, 123 Varadouro Olinda, Pernambuco, Brasil 53020-080 | Tel: +55 81 3429 4533 Fax: +55 81 3429 2879 Email: prefeito@olinda.pe.gov.br |
| Sra. Marcia Maria da Fonte Souto Secretária de Patrimônio e Cultura | Prefeitura Municipal de Olinda Secretaria do Patrimônio e Cultura Rua de Sao Bento, 160 Varadouro Olinda, Pernambuco, Brasil CEP:53020-080 | Tel: +55.81 34.29.31.41 Fax: +55.81 34.39.19.88 Email: mmfsouto@uol.com.br |
| Sr. André Renato Pina Moreira Architect | Secretaria do Patrimônio, Ciência, Cultura e Turismo Rua de Sao Bento, 160 Varadouro Olinda, Pernambuco, Brasil CEP 53020-080 | Tel: +55.81 33.05.11.42 Fax: +55.81.34.39.19.88 Email: andrerpina@uol.com.br |