Juffrouw de Bruyn, Dutch military fortification in Recife, Brazil.
Juffrouw de Bruyn is a Dutch military fortification built on a sandy isthmus connecting Recife and Olinda, featuring four half-bastions positioned at the corners of its quadrilateral layout. The structure reflects the military engineering style characteristic of 17th century colonial defenses.
Built between 1630 and 1632 by Dutch forces, the fort served as a defensive stronghold protecting Olinda during the Netherlands occupation of this Brazilian region. It played a key role in securing European control of this strategically important coastal area.
The fort is named after the wife of Johan Bruyne, a prominent figure in Dutch colonial administration during their rule over this region. Today the ruins stand as a reminder of how European powers shaped life in this area.
The ruins sit north of Recife Port near naval installations, and visitor access is restricted due to their location within an active military zone. You can view the remains from a distance or pass by the area, but direct entry is not typically possible.
During the 1950s, the Brazilian Navy dismantled sections of the structure to recycle the original stones for port expansion projects. This reuse meant that historic materials from the colonial era found new purpose in modern infrastructure.
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