Arraial Velho do Bom Jesus, Military fortress in Pernambuco, Brazil.
Arraial Velho do Bom Jesus was a military fortress in Pernambuco featuring tall walls and deep trenches positioned along the Capibaribe River. The structure was designed to prevent enemy ships from reaching inland settlements through its strategic position.
Built in 1630, the fortress served as a command center under Matias de Albuquerque's leadership against Dutch occupation forces. A three-month siege in 1635 led to its capture and the end of Portuguese control at this location.
This location held great meaning for Portuguese settlers as a symbol of resistance and defiance during foreign occupation. Visitors can sense the human stories through excavated objects and the stories of those who fought here.
The site is located in the Casa Amarela neighborhood of Recife along Estrada do Arraial. Visitors should be prepared to see mainly archaeological remains rather than intact structures or walls.
Emperor Pedro II visited this location in 1859 and searched for the fortress remains, but found no visible traces. This shows how completely the structure had disappeared under soil and vegetation by that time.
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