RECIFE

RECIFERecife is Brazil's capital of cultural diversity and rhythm, a foremost place in the scope of the country's development. Nicknamed as the Brazilian Venice, it is shaped by several isles, spread by rivers, stretching along the seacoast and tied by several bridges. Such attractions are on their own more than enough to be acquainted with such impressive, splendorous city.

Founded by the Portuguese in 1537, Recife was one of the wealthiest of the capitanias hereditarias (provinces donated by the King to noblemen). During the 17th century, it fell under the Dutch occupation, between 1630 and 1654, featuring some development and growth. Dikes, ditches and bridges were built. Mauriceia, named as such by Dutch, then became South America's largest capital, featuring the second largest road network in the entire American continent.

Recife is nowadays regarded as the Brazilian Northeaster capital, as it features the third largest culinary centre of Brazil, the second most important medical centre in Brazil and also a key centre for business and events. It features an excellent structure of services, hotels besides tourist, cultural attractions galore.

Recife, frevo's birthplace, houses various musical rhythms, folk dances and merrymaking, namely maracatu de baque virado, maracatu de baque solto, ciranda, coco, reisado, caboclinhos and many others. Along with her sister town of Olinda, includes world's best, biggest and most unrestricted carnival. During Momus' kingdom, streets are taken by merrymakers wearing carnival costumes while dancing in the rhythm of the instruments or chasing the countless carnival groups and its frevo orchestras.

In 2007, frevo marked its 100th year and has been classified by Ministry of Culture and by IPHAN as Brazil's Intangible Heritage. On February 9, 1907, the word frevo has been published for the first time. It was used before, however, by the folks as a meaning of feverish to designate a cheering, hot party and thus was pronounced frevo as corrupted word. It is unknown whether what came actually first: Music or paces. What seems to be logical is their own joint development, with folks' typical inspiration and inventiveness.

There are three styles of frevo, as follows: frevo de rua (street frevo), frevo canção (musical frevo) and frevo de bloco (group frevo). Frevo de rua is the instrumental type and was the first to come up. Within this style, there are further divisions, frevo-abafo, frevo-ventania & frevo-coqueiro. Frevo-cancao then arose, with a melody attached to the music. Finally, frevo de bloco cropped up, featuring similar traces to bucolic style.

Enjoying Carnival in the feverish paces of frevo, symbol of Pernambuco carnival, while swinging in the tunes of frevo-cancao, in the poetry of frevo de bloco or the pulsating frevo de rua stand for moments and emotions that must be witnessed, better saying, they ought to be experienced. In addition, all that joyfulness is freely offered, no need to pay any entry fee to fool around with safety and happiness galore.

Recife also offers a journey into architectural history, with colonial style buildings, art deco, art noveau, baroque, modern and fashionable edifices. A walk in the streets or a catamaran boat-riding crossing the rivers may corroborate this, while passing under bridges, houses and the mangrove. Various leisure, culture options are available, as follows: Museums, fortresses, theatres, churches, squares, court yards, markets, and so on.

Last but not least, the area of Boa Viagem, regarded as one of the most striking urban beaches in Brazil, besides being the cleanest one. The beach comprises a reef line composing natural pools during low tide, and a walkway plenty of stalls providing a good service. Recife is, undoubtedly, a remarkable destination, a site of cultural wealth, an historical heritage and a never ending summer season.