Aracaju Attractions
Aracaju
Aracaju, capital of Sergipe state since 1855, was founded by the Portuguese in 1592. It lies at the mouth of the Rio Sergipe, 294km/183mi south-west of Maceió (AL) and 356km/221mi north-east of Salvador (BA).
Bus station
Avenida Presidente Tancredo Neves
History
The administrative center of Sergipe state was moved in 1855 from São Cristóvão to the old settlement of Santo Antìnio de Aracaju, which had a good deep-water harbor.
The new capital was the first regularly planned town in Brazil, with a square grid layout. Aracaju is now a center of the service industries which owes its prosperity to the large oil and potash deposits in the surrounding area and to its large harbor. It is regarded as one of the safest cities in Brazil.
Aracaju, capital of Sergipe state since 1855, was founded by the Portuguese in 1592. It lies at the mouth of the Rio Sergipe, 294km/183mi south-west of Maceió (AL) and 356km/221mi north-east of Salvador (BA).
Bus station
Avenida Presidente Tancredo Neves
History
The administrative center of Sergipe state was moved in 1855 from São Cristóvão to the old settlement of Santo Antìnio de Aracaju, which had a good deep-water harbor.
The new capital was the first regularly planned town in Brazil, with a square grid layout. Aracaju is now a center of the service industries which owes its prosperity to the large oil and potash deposits in the surrounding area and to its large harbor. It is regarded as one of the safest cities in Brazil.
Island of Santa Luzia
The riverside road Avenida Rio Branco leads direct to the harbor and the landing-stage used by boats to the island of Santa Luzia in the estuary of the Rio Sergipe (a 15-minute trip), with the beach of Atalaia Nova and numbers of good hotels.
Cathedral
On Plaza Olímpio Campos, to the west of the Ponte do Imperador, is the Cathedral (1862-75).
Emperor's Bridge
On the banks of the river are the Harbor Office and the Ponte do Imperador ("Emperor's Bridge"), a jetty built for a visit to the town by Emperor Pedro II.
Events
Festa de Bom Jesus dos Navegantes (January 1st; procession of boats on Rio Sergipe, fireworks, music groups); Morte de Lampião (July 28th; Lampião was the legendary leader of the cangaceiros); Festa da Iemanjá (December 8th; on beach of Atalaia Velha).
Historical and Georgraphical Museum
Inland from the Ponte do Imperador, in Rua Itabaianinha, is the Historical and Geographical Museum.
Market
Between the Ponte do Imperador and the landing-stage, one block inland (Rua José do Prado Franco), is the Mercado Municipal, where local craft products can be bought.
Military Police Museum
Farther south along the same street, now named Rua Itabaiana, is the Military Police Museum, with collections of material illustrating the period of the notorious bandits known as cangaceiros.
Museu Rosa Faria
The Museu Rosa Faria, also on Praça Olímpio Campos, displays painted porcelain dishes and azulejo panels depicting the history of Sergipe.
Parque dos Cajueiros
South of the city center, on Praia da Atalaia, is a large leisure center, with the Parque dos Cajueiros (named after the cashew trees which produce cashew nuts) and a lake known as the Mare Apicum through which the Rio Poxim flows.
Praça Fausto Cardoso
The town's most typical buildings are in the center, between the Ponte do Imperador and the bus station. Opposite the Ponte do Imperador is Praça Fausto Cardoso, with government offices, the Parliament and the Supreme Court of Sergipe state.
Prefecture
Facing the Historical and Geographical Museum, at the south-west corner of Praça Olímpio Campos, is the Prefecture.
