Recife Antigo

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Actually not a neighborhood, but a specific area in downtown Recife.

Recife Antigo is the area near the Recife harbor, located in the Recife island. This area is a historic area and has been recently recovered and now holds several clubs, bars and a high tech center called Porto Digital.

Recife Antigo comprehends the initial portuguese settlement in 16th century around the port. Through Recife's port the sugar cane production from Pernambuco was delivered to Portugal. While Recife had port functions, Olinda was the Capitaincy capital. In 1630 the Dutch invaded Pernambuco, set fire to Olinda and Recife became the seat of the Dutch government. Earl Mauricío de Nassau became governor and build a new town on a neighbor island. This city was named Mauritzstadt and over its ruins nowadays is the Palacio do Campo das Princesas, seat of the State of Pernambuco government.

After the expulsion of the Dutchs in 1654, a city with a good infrastructure was left. The Dutch built many canals, improved the port and the defenses of the city. A flourishing jewish community lived in Recife under the Dutch, but they had to left the city because of the Portuguese religious intolerance. A group of 24 jews left Recife and went to the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam, origin of the present city of New York. The first Synagogue built in America, the Kahal zur Israel, is located in Recife Antigo, on Rua do Bom Jesus (Good Jesus street), ancient Rua dos Judeus (Jews Street).