Olinda is one of the most well preserved colonial towns in Brazil. It was once the capital of the federal state of Pernambuco on the Atlantic coast and in 1982 was designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

The first Portuguese immigrants were excited about its wonderful location when they landed here in 1535. They were followed by priests and monks who built churches and monasteries within the palm groves on the hills.

Most of the town’s important buildings date back to that time when the town prospered due to the cultivation of sugar cane. Religion in the town began to blossom, a fact indicated by the remarkable Benedictine monastery, the Mosteiro De Sáo Bento,

Olinda is a fine example of colonial splendour and sacred art. A unique masterpiece of Brazilian Late Baroque!