Founded in 1537 by Duarte Coelho Pereira, Olinda became the cradle of Brazilian culture in the 16th century and the first capital of the province of Pernambuco. Later the town became one of the most important cultural centres of Brazil, the home of artists, sculpturers, and writers and the founding place of Brazil's first law school. Led by Moritz von Nassau the town was conquered by the Dutch in 1630. Moritz von Nassau intensively promoted the fine arts of the region. The strong Dutch influence of those days can still be traced today.

Due to its exciting past, its both, beautiful and important architectural and cultural heritage as well as its outstanding natural beauty and its unique topography the town became a National Monument of Brazil in 1980 and two years later was declared World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

Today, Olinda is one of Brazil's most popular tourist sights visited by people from all over the world. They love its natural and cultural beauties, its grand festivals, above all its carnival with its outsize puppets which are as famous as their Venice and Rio de Janeiro counterparts.

The Alto da Sé offers a splendid view of the centre of Recife. The subtle layout of its gardens abounding with bouganvillaeas of various kinds and colours enchant the eye. In the midst of this ecological scenario, saluted by grateful birds, the pools invite the guests to while away their time under century-old foliage.

Olinda's charming atmosphere is the result of natural, architectural, historical and artistic affluence being fused - a luxuriant vegetation mingling with a great number of age-old temples, baroque churches, steep roads, old houses, sights and beaches Olinda's inhabitants are a merry, creative, hospitable and communicative people. The elevated old town is a centre of popular and classic artists and craftsmen focussing on music, folklore, dance and crafts. Its gastronomy is unique with its typical and tasty dishes. There is a wide range of restaurants offering the local fare, fruits de mer and tropical fruits in particular.

Living in Olinda means experiencing unforgettable moments, enjoying the culture, arts and festivals of the New World. For every soul coming in the quest of pure joy and genuine sentiment, visiting Olinda means being spell-bound by this town.

 

	Surface: 29 km2
	Altitude: 16 metres above sea level
	Climate: Tropical
	Population: 340. .673 (Source: IBGE - 1991)

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