Recife Antigo
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Recife Antigo (Old Recife) is the historical section of downtown Recife. It is located on the Island of Recife, near the Recife harbor. This historic area has been recently recovered and now holds several clubs, bars and a high-tech center called Porto Digital.
Porto Digital is a business environment for IT companies in Recife Antigo. More than 70 IT firms with 1,500 workers have rejuvenated the harbor with a new digital economy, occupying the old warehouses used in the past by sugar-and-cotton export companies. It is a project coordinated mainly by the State Government and the local federal university UFPE, alongside with the private sector.
[edit] History
Recife Antigo consists of the initial Portuguese settlement in the 16th century around the port. Sugar cane production from Pernambuco was delivered to Portugal through Recife's port. While Recife had port functions, Olinda was the capital. In 1630, the Dutch invaded Pernambuco, set fire to Olinda and Recife became the seat of the Dutch government. Earl Mauricío de Nassau became governor and built a new town on a neighboring island. This city was named Mauritzstadt and the Palacio do Campo das Princesas, seat of the State of Pernambuco government, is built on its ruins.
After the expulsion of the Dutch in 1654, a city with a good infrastructure was left. The Dutch built many canals, improved the port and the defenses of the city. A flourishing Jewish community lived in Recife under the Dutch, but they had to leave the city because of the Portuguese religious intolerance. A group of 24 Jews left Recife and went to the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam, origin of the present city of New York. The first Synagogue built in America, the Kahal zur Israel, is located in Recife Antigo, on Rua do Bom Jesus (Good Jesus street), former Rua dos Judeus (Jews Street). Today Recife is Brazilian largest leading crime city, with highest murder rate, recently murders dropped by few percentage.
