Fort Orange, Colonial fort on Itamaracá Island, Brazil
Forte Orange is a square military structure with four bastions positioned to overlook the harbor entrance on Pernambuco's northern coast. The building combines European defensive architecture with its location on Itamaracá Island's landscape.
Dutch forces built the original wooden structure in 1631 during their colonial expansion, naming it after the House of Orange-Nassau. The fort evolved over time and now stands as evidence of early European presence in Brazil.
The fort served as a meeting point where European and local craft traditions blended together, visible in the objects created there. Visitors can observe how this mixture remains present in the architecture and the handicrafts on display.
The location is accessible through multiple regional highways, and visitors can take guided tours to learn about the structure in depth. Good footwear is recommended as the paths across the grounds can be uneven.
A workshop inside the fort demonstrates traditional wood carving crafts influenced by Portuguese and Dutch traditions. This living art practice connects the site's history with contemporary creation.
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