Natal Travel Information
Natal History
 Natal history is very rich, dating back nearly 400 years when the first explorers used the city as a port and a defensive position. In 1597 a fleet or Portuguese arrived at the Potenji river, founding a new city and fortress which was tasked with keeping the French away. The village that was setup in 1598 was named Natal or Christmas, after the date it founded. From there, the Dutch managed to take over the fortress between 1633 and 1654, when the Portuguese were finally able to reclaim it. The city was important as it was used to export the sugar cane that was grown in Brazil, and also the gold that was mined. Natals history is deeply tied in with shaping how present day Brazil is.
More recently, Natal was used during World War II as a supply station. Natal is the closest point to both Africa and Europe, making it a great military position even today. Thousands of American soldiers spent their war years in Natal an often unrealized partner during those trying times.
The end result is over 400 years of Natal history, with buildings and much of its culture dating back to the earlier years and which has been beautifully captured and restored through out the city. |
 Câmara Cascudo House - Natal Historic Center - MAP 6 Who goes up the hill from Riverside, towards the Upper Town (Cidade Alta), faces a fine house built back in 1900, imposing and well maintained, constructed like a cabin where lived the writer and historian Cascudo. For too long the "Solar dos Cascudos" was closed, hiding cultural relics on the writer's life.
It is a unique opportunity for those who want to unravel the mysteries of the genius, where he lived and wrote most of his ... |
 Capitania das Artes - Natal Historic Center - MAP 6 The neoclassical style old building of Natal Port is located at Av. Luis da Camara Cascudo before the Rua da Cruz and Av. Junqueira Aires, one of the oldest streets of the city, in the Cultural Corridor. It was built in the last century, in the same place where there was another building that, from 1830 to 1862, served as headquarters to the provincial government.The site, which was listed in the state on August 11, 1988, was revitaliz... |
 Chile Street - Natal Historic Center - MAP 6
Chile Street in the old quarter of Ribeira, has, within the geography of Natal nuances that sometimes go unnoticed by their patrons. Far from being only the street from a simple set of houses and buildings, it is, first of all, the concentration of many harmonic sensations. Given its very old cobblestone pavement and still marked with the nostalgic tram line, you can learn a little more Natal history. It was there, for example,... |
 Coluna Capitolina Del Pretti - MAP 3 On July 5, 1928 the plane Savoia-Marchetti S-64 piloted by aviators Italian Carlo Del Prete and Arturo Ferrarin reached the town of Bulls, in Rio Grande do Norte, proceeding from Rome in Italy, after a flight of 49 hours and 19 minutes, nonstop, a distance of 7163 winning quilômetros.In recognition of the nobility, warmth and kindness that the people brought Natal to the two famous aviators, Benito Mussolini, "Il Duce" as a Minister of... |
| Estátua de Augusto Severo - Natal Historic - MAP 3 The following is transcribed from the book "New History of Natal" by Itamar de Souza, P. 240-241, in which he talks about the Statue of Augusto Severo:"This time the honor of the great aviation pioneer Alberto Maranhão governor's left, started in his first government (1900-1904), more precisely in 1902 and completed its second government (1908-1913). Augusto Severo died in Paris in May 1902. in July of that year, was organized in a Nat... |
 Felipe Camarão Palace - Natal Historic Center - MAP 6 Natal City Hall, the Palácio Felipe Camarão is one of the most eclectic remnants representative of historical styles.The building Felipe Camarão Palace was built in 1922, by the italian architect Miguel Micussi, was opened in the same year on September 7, marking the centenary of the Independence of Brazil, in the administration of Governor Jose Antonio de Mello e Souza (1920 - 1924) and the municipal mayor Theodosius Paiva.The City ... |
 Forte dos Reis Magos - MAP 6
So called because of the beginning of its construction, the 6th of January, when Brazilians commemorate the Three Kings Day. Built with lime and whale oil by the Portugueses in 1598, this beautiful monument was responsible for protecting the city of Natal at that time.
Located in a strategic point on the river Potengi and the Atlantic Ocean, this fortress was the scene of major battles.
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| Historic Center - MAP 3 The Natal Historic Center comprises an area of approximately 201,278 m2 (2,166,538.36 sq ft), which are included 150 buildings of various styles, including colonial architecture, neoclassical, art-deco and modernist. This area comprises the districts of Ribeira and Cidade Alta, which are the oldest neighborhoods of the city, which have characteristics of the first centuries of the history of Brazil, highlighting important aspects of ... |
 Igreja do Galo - Natal Historic - MAP 3 In the main door there is a date: 1766. Probably the time it was ready. In ages past, was known as the Church of St. Anthony of the Military, has served as accommodation for militias of Rio Grande do Norte. Located at Rua Santo Antonio, 698, Upper Town, near the Mother Church. It is now known as Church of the Rooster, rooster because of a bronze in the tower there - giving the chief captain Sanches Caetano da Silva, Governor of the Prov... |
 Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Apresentação - Natal Historic Center - MAP 3 The Church of Our Lady of the Presentation, located in the hill from where Jeronimo de Albuquerque implemented the city. Stands out in the urban landscape of the current square André de Albuquerque, former Grand Street, the beginnings of Natal in the middle of the City Cultural Centre.The temples and monuments listed by the State Government and belongs to the Archdiocese of Natal. However, it became much more than a house of worship, b... |
 Memorial Câmara Cascudo - Natal Historic Center - MAP 3 Câmara Cascudo is a celebrated figure of the nation Potiguar. Greatest historian and folklorist of our state, his memorial has a collection of about 10,000 books, furniture, letters and documents that depict and recall its history.The location designated by the State Government to house the Memorial Chamber Cascudo is a XVIII century building erected to host the Royal Treasury. It was rebuilt in 1875 to serve the Treasury for Finance. ... |
 Padre João Maria Bust and Square - MAP 3 In recognition of the tireless work of Father John Mary, Rio Grande do Norte, so the call on "The Holy Father" The square that bears his name in Upper Town in Natal, live every day with hundreds of faithful who ask and thank both the graces received through the "Priest of the Poor."
A in his honor was placed in the square that bears his name, located behind the old cathedral. The bust was sculpted by hostile Dantas granite pedes... |
 Pedra do Rosário - Natal Historic - MAP 3 On the morning of November 21, 1753, several people could watch a wooden box, stranded on a rock, the River Potengi. Some fishermen went out to rescue him. Inside the box was found a statue of Our Lady of the Rosary with the infant Jesus in her arms and wrapped a banner that read: "Where this file stop, no misfortune will happen." The image was about 60 cm high.At the time the image was taken to the Church by Father Manuel Gomes Corrêa... |
 Solar Bela Vista - Natal Historic Center - MAP 6 The Bela Vista Solar is a building that portrays an architectural conception of the early twentieth century.Built in 1907 by Colonel Aureliano Medeiros, owner of the property at the time and considered one of the richest men in the Rio Grande do Norte.Its design was intended to be a residential palace, the building is beautiful in its architectural features and characteristics of the style "neoclassical."The mansion was built with what ... |
 Solar João Galvão de Medeiros - Natal Historic - MAP 3 Solar João Galvão de Medeiros is a construction of the early twentieth century. Had as one of the first owners Colonel Aureliano de Medeiros, responsible for building the grand Solar Bela Vista in the ground side of the Solar John Galvao. The house was partially destroyed, with only the side walls and foundations. He went through almost half a century in ruins, until the descendants of another owner, Mr. John Galvao de Medeiros, a for... |