Surroundings, Igaraçu

There are a number of attractions in the areas surrounding Igaraçu.

Related Attractions

Monjope Sugar-Mill

Monjope sugar-mill

5km/3mi from the town on BR 101 Sul are the ruins of the Monjope sugar-mill (17th and 18th centuries).

Itamaraca, Brazil

Itamaracá

On the island of Itamaracá, 20km/12.5mi north-east of Igaracu, is the town of Itamaracá (pop. 10,000), which dates from the 16th century.

Beaches

In and around the town are the beaches of Pilar in the town center; São Paulo, Rio Amba, Forno de Cal and Barra Verde to the south; and Jaguaribe, Lance dos Capeüs and Fortinho to the north. At weekends the ciranda de lia, a dance popular through north-eastern Brazil, is danced at Jaguaribe beach.

Fort Orange

7km/4.5mi outside the town is Fort Orange, a Dutch fortification of 1630, later renamed Forte de Santa Cruz.

Vila Velha

13km/8mi south of Itamaracá is Vila Velha, the earliest port in north-eastern Brazil, founded in 1526. Its 16th century church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição was restored in 1985.

Goiana, Brazil

Goiana

The town of Goiana (not to be confused with Goiânia and Goiás), 34km/21mi north of Iguaçu, near the border with Paraíba state, has a number of fine churches: the Igreja do Carmo, with the Convento de Santo Alberto dos Carmelitas (1666) and the church of Santa Teresa da Ordem Terceira (1753), both on Praça Frei Caneca, and Nossa Senhora do Amparo dos Homens Pardos (1681), now occupied by the Museum of Religious Art. Adjoining the church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos (Our Lady of the Rosary of the Blacks), is the Museum of the Historical Institute. The principal church is Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Brancos (Our Lady of the Rosary of the Whites).

São Lourenço de Tejucopapo

São Lourenáo de Tejucopapo

23km/14mi south-east of Goiana, near the estuary of the Rio Goiana (on the beach of Carne da Vaca), is the 16th century church of São Lourenço de Tejucopapo. The Festa de São Lourenço (St Lawrence) is celebrated at Carne de Vaca on August 10th. The village of Tejucopapo, 17km/10.5mi from Goiana, was the scene of a battle between Dutch and Portuguese forces.

Surrounding Beaches

Beaches

The beach of Carne de Vaca, 36km/22mi from Goiana, lies close to the border of Paraíba state.

At Praia de Pontas de Pedra, 40km/25mi south of Goiana, visitors can watch the fishermen putting out to sea on their jangadas. Beyond Pontas de Pedra are the beaches of Catuama and Pedrinhas (45km/28mi).