Imagine sailing in 1680 along a dangerous and rocky coast, with no guide but a compass and determination to conquer the unknown. Thus the Portuguese arrived in this corner of the world, facing relentless tides to settle in strategic territory.

I found out how, despite construction difficulties, marked social differences and the challenges of trade in a fledgling wholesale market, they managed to leave a deep mark. Every stone tells its storey.

Let the unique architecture tell you about the past: stone walls, narrow streets and fortresses designed to defend the conquered. Touring this place, you don’t just see history: you live it, you feel it, you breathe it.