Ministério do Turismo
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Olinda
They say that the name “Olinda” originates from the words of a Portuguese Nobleman, Duarte Coelho, Pernambuco’s High Commissioner, when he searched for a place to establish a settlement. Upon finding a hill with a magnificent sea view and a natural harbour protected by reefs, he said: “ Oh, beautiful place to build a village”. (“Oh, beautiful”, translated from the Portuguese: “Oh, linda”, thus the name “Olinda”). Truth or legend, what matters is that the town is really very beautiful. From its foundation onwards, the village prospered in trade and became wealthy. However, the Dutch invaded it in 1630. After setting the town on fire, they abandoned it and moved to Recife, then just a seaport. Only after the invaders were driven out in 1654 did the village’s reconstruction begin. Much was preserved from that time: part of the original urban layout, old baroque churches and houses. Together, they comprise an important architectural collection, making Olinda part of the World Cultural Heritage. They also set the scenario for one of the most original Carnivals in the country in street games, music and dance. It is quite rewarding to go out on the streets of the town and admire the landscape blending in with the blue of the sea, the green of its vegetation and the beauty of its historical buildings. It is a pleasurable place also for lovers of good restaurants, authentic craftwork and art studios.
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- Basic information
- Climate
Hot and humid, with an annual mean temperature of 27° C. - Events
- Street carnival
During Carnival, one of the most vivacious feasts in the country takes place. Olinda citizens and tourists perambulate the narrow slanting streets dancing to the music of “frevo” and “maracatu” bands. The traditional mockery blocks and the famous giant dolls participate throughout the fun. On these days, Olinda becomes a vast stage for popular cultural manifestation.
Holy Week
It represents the end of Lent, a forty-day period after Carnival. Beautiful processions take place throughout the town.
Iemanjá Feast (December)
Female Orixá (Goddess) who personifies the sea. She is the mother of all Orixás, the Mistress of the Earth and Heavens. The Blue Walk, as the procession is called, is a cortège which conducts the figure of Iemanjá on an float, accompanied by the “Holy sons” and a large crowd leading the “Pot of Offerings”, which is deposited into the sea.
Christmas (December)
Our Lord of Bonfim Church (1758) and the Palace of Governors, where the “Palace Christmas” takes place with a Christmas presentation, pastoral events, folkloric dances and choirs, are the top visiting places of the Christmas festivities.
Christmas Serenade (December)
A group of singers and musicians accompanied by a large crowd walk through the streets of the High City playing Christmas carols and praises to Olinda. The serenade begins at the Sé Cathedral with a large number of guest choirs led by Olinda’s Martyr Saint Peter Choir.
Revolinda (December)
New Year’s celebration on the beaches, mostly concentrated on the Bairro Novo and Casa Caiada beaches. Great fireworks and much enthusiasm to celebrate the New Year. - City facts
- General information
Olinda
State: Pernambuco
Region: Northeast
Population: 367,902 inhabitants
DDD: (81)
Distances
Recife: 7 km
Maceió (Alagoas State): 280 km
Brasília: 2,230 km
Rio de Janeiro: 2,360 km
São Paulo: 2,650 km - Accommodation / Restaurants
- The inns of Olinda are simple and integrated into the town’s historical setting. There is a variety of prices. Olinda has good restaurants specialized in fish and international dishes. Dishes prepared from regional fish and accompanied by typical products such as cassava, "jerimum", coconut, mango and Surinam cherry are common. There are also nice places where one can savour a simple fried-fish dish and a drink of the authentic, local “cachaça” (rum).
See some of the options for inns, hotels and restaurants by visiting these sites:
http://www.brasilviagem.com/guia/?CodCid=59&Canal=5m
http://www.pousadapeter.com.br/index_restaurantes.htm
http://www.aponte.com.br/agenda/restaurantes.html
- How to get there
- By Plane: Recife’s international airport is just 7 km away from Olinda. Access is along broad avenues, which connect the two cities. There is an everyday urban bus service covering this transit.
By Road:
Main access highways:
- From Rio de Janeiro: BR-116/ BR-101
- From São Paulo: BR-116/ BR-101
- From Brasília: BR-020/BR-116/BR-101
- From Maceió (Alagoas State): BR-101 - Services
- Tourist Information
Tel: +55 (81) 3439-9434 (the town government provides a free tourist guide service)
Guararapes International Airport, Recife:
Tel: +55 (81) 3464 4188
Coach Station
Tel: +55 (81) 3452-1999/3452-1103
Hospital Santa Casa
Tel: +55 (81) 3281 6112
Banks
The country’s main banks have branches in the town. Most commercial establishments take credit cards.
- Related links
Olinda Town Government
http://www.olinda.pe.gov.br/portal/guia_turistico.php
Olinda Virtual
- Attractions
- Churches
Olinda holds churches rich in ornaments and carvings, as well as simple churches. The majority was built in the 16th and 17th centuries and display baroque (16th-17th Century European style) architecture and statues. Some merit highlighting, such as the São Bento Monastery with a gold-plated altar, and the São Francisco Convent, which integrates a group of temples. The Sé Cathedral, on a location of privileged view, is the oldest in the town and one of the first to be built in Brazil.
Art Studios
Artists have set up their studios throughout the town. Visitors are welcome. They are free to enter and admire the paintings, sculptures and ceramic works.
Sacred Art Museum
The building holds the rich religious art of Pernambuco State. Built before the arrival of the first bishop in 1976, it was rebuilt in the 19th century. The Palace also has two antiquate blocks, and twelve windows on the upper floor, built later on, with wooden balconies in 18th century style. The permanent collection was donated by the Archdiocese of Olinda and Recife, and later refined. Today, it gathers religious pieces from the 16th century, including important specimens of the contemporaneous popular art. The museum currently develops an active program with courses, lectures and exhibitions which accompany the liturgical period and religious calendar. On the ground floor, an exhibition of photographic panels documenting the history, evolution and landscape of Olinda.
Bairro Novo Beach
With a 2.7 km extension, the beautiful and bustling beach of Bairro Novo is the most visited by tourists and having the best infrastructure. Olinda has only 11 km of coastal area distributed among seven beaches, some of which are inaccessible for sea bathing due to the topography of the area, yet highly attractive for contemplative leisure.
Rua do Amparo
This street is the cultural pole of the town’s historical sector with restaurants, inns, museums and art studios.
Shopping
Ribeira Market
It is a building from the late 17th century with shops where one can buy local craftwork such as the typical “machê” paper (paper-pulp) masks. It holds sculpting, engraving and painting workshops as well.
Rua Bernardo Vieira de Melo (Ribeira). 09 am/ 6 pm.
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