Olinda

Lore & Background

Olinda was founded in 1535 by Duarte Coelho Pereira from Portugal and elevated to a town on March 12, 1537. It became the seat of the Roman Catholic Territorial Prelature of Pernambuco in 1614 and later the Diocese of Olinda in 1676. The economy was dominated by sugarcane production, supported by the importation of slaves from Africa, making Olinda a colonial stronghold. The city was burned by Dutch invaders during the 17th century, when Portugal was united with Spain under the Iberian Union. Dutch forces occupied the area, and John Maurice, Prince of Nassau-Siegen, was appointed governor of Dutch possessions in Brazil in 1637. After the dissolution of the Iberian Union in 1640, Portugal reestablished authority over the lost territories, including Dutch Brazil. Sugarcane plantation slavery continued until the Lei Áurea abolished slavery in 1888.

Reader's Guide

Olinda declined in importance after the Dutch invasion, and Recife became the capital of Pernambuco in 1827. Today, Olinda is part of the greater Recife metropolitan area. Its cathedral, São Salvador do Mundo, remains the primary seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Olinda and Recife. The city is a major cultural center, with its Carnival featuring street parties with no bleachers or roping, free admission, and hundreds of small musical groups playing frevo, maracatu, and other northeast music and dances. The main economic activities are tourism, commerce, transportation, and artcraft, with a tourist boom every Carnival. The municipality covers 41.681 square kilometers, has a population of 349,976, and a population density of 9,437 inhabitants per square kilometer. Its climate is tropical monsoon, and it lies within the Atlantic Forest ecoregion.

Did You Know?

• Olinda has been inhabited since 1535.
• The Carnaval of Olinda is celebrated on the streets with no bleachers or roping, and admission is free.