The amethyst is the violet or purple variety of quartz and the most striking gemstone in this group. In this guide, you’ll find out about the meaning of amethyst, its properties and characteristics, how it is graded, where it is found, the treatments it undergoes (including heat treatment to produce […]
Marine Map of the East Coast of Brazil Ilha Grande and Sapetiba Bay 1884 Beautiful large scale chart of the region west of Rio de Janeiro. Complete with soundings, anchorages and navigational hazards. In the background is a view of Ilha Grande and the East Passage. The chart was first […]
Map of Brazil from 1823 A detailed map of Brazil showing cities, regions, mountains and the extensive river system. Lucas’ General Atlas is considered one of the finest general atlases produced in the USA at the time, due to its high quality paper, excellent engraving and attractive colouring. It was […]
Map of Brazil from 1832 Cities, rivers, natives and more. English, Dutch and French Guiana appear to the north of Brazil. Parts of Colombia, Bolivia and Argentina are shown in less detail, and Paraguay and Uruguay are shown as part of Brazil.
The Territorial Formation of Brazil: From Continental Archipelago to National Unity Historical maps and the formation of Brazil Historical Maps show the development and territorial expansion of Brazil and the Western Hemisphere from Discovery to Independence. Learn about the historical facts that led to Brazil’s emergence from a continental archipelago. […]
The tiger’s eye is a variety of quartz ranging in colour from gold to brown, with silky bands of light that appear to move when the stone is turned. In this guide, you’ll learn about the meaning of tiger’s eye, its properties and characteristics, how it is formed, its varieties […]
Engraving of Fort Nassau in Pernambuco, 1671 Montanus’ work was perhaps the largest illustrated book on the New World produced in the 17th century. It contained more than one hundred beautifully engraved plates, views and maps of North and South America. The plates vividly depicted forts, festivals, occupations, Dutch fleets, […]
Map of South America and Brazil, 1624 This engraving is part of a remarkable series of publications illustrating voyages of discovery and exploration in different parts of the world. The project was begun by Theodore de Bry of Frankfurt in 1590 and was to continue for another 54 years. Together […]
Map of the Captaincies of Pernambuco and Ceará from 1680 This rare map of the captaincies of Ceará and Pernambuco stretches from the Formosa River to the Estremo River, with the São Francisco River at its centre. Much of the information is derived from maps drawn for the Dutch West […]
Engraving of Olinda, 1671 These splendid views illustrate the Dutch attack on the Portuguese town of Olinda in 1630. For most of the 17th century, Portugal and the Netherlands had a trade agreement whereby the Portuguese colonies in the New World produced sugar and the Dutch distributed it throughout Europe […]
Map of Recife – Brazil – circa 1764 – Publication: Le Petit Atlas Maritime… Volume 2 No. 50 “Plan de Fernambouc a la Coste de Bresil”, Bellin, Jacques Nicolas This fine chart shows the area around Recife (Pernambuco) extending northwards to Olinda. Depth soundings, anchorages and rocks are shown, together […]
Map of Recife from 1679 A rare aerial map of the city of Recife and its surroundings, showing the Dutch fortifications. Although originally founded by the Portuguese, the Dutch decided to invade several cities in Pernambuco because of the local sugar cane industry. From 1630 to 1654, the Dutch controlled […]
Engraving of the town of Olinda, 1633 This is a rare and fascinating aerial view of Olinda and the coast of Pernambuco, based on the work of Hessel Gerritsz, who is credited in the title. It illustrates the attack and capture of the Portuguese settlement of Olinda by a Dutch […]
Map of Baia de Todos os Santos and Pernambuco from 1700 This beautiful decorative map of Brazil is oriented with north to the right. Two insets show Dutch interests in the area (Baia de Todos os Santos and Pernambuco). The interior is largely devoid of geographical information, instead depicting scenes […]
Map of the Western Hemisphere, 1587 This is one of the most famous maps of the Americas, and one that had an enormous influence on the future cartography of the New World. It was engraved by Frans Hogenberg and is based largely on Gerard Mercator’s large multi-sheet world map of […]
Map of the Western Hemisphere, 1628 Jodocus Hondius’ map of the Americas is one of the most elaborate examples of fine Dutch cartography. The decorations, including sea monsters, native birds, native canoes and sailing ships, were taken from De Bry’s Grand Voyages. Particularly noteworthy is the scene of the natives […]
Map of the Western Hemisphere 1643 This impressive carte-a-figure map is an excellent example of the fine art of decorative cartography and a 17th century European view of the New World. The coastal contours generally follow Ortelius and Wytfliet, with the nomenclature of various explorers and settlers. The side panels, […]
Map of the Western Hemisphere, 1677 Visscher’s map greatly influenced the cartography of the Americas, both geographically and artistically. One of the most striking geographical details copied by other cartographers is the large open lake in the Great Lakes region. In fact, Visscher copied this from Blaeu’s wall map mundi […]
Map of the Western Hemisphere, 1727 This beautiful map of the Americas is an interesting version of the map series inspired by Nicolas Visscher in 1658. This map was first published by Justus Danckerts around 1696, but the plate was sold by the family to Reiner and Josua Ottens after […]
Map of the Western Hemisphere, 1628 Jodocus Hondius’ map of the Americas is one of the most elaborate examples of fine Dutch cartography. The decorations, including sea monsters, native birds, native canoes and sailing ships, were taken from De Bry’s Grand Voyages. Particularly noteworthy is the scene of the natives […]
The Rio Vermelho neighbourhood is Salvador’s main hub for bohemian life and dining, bringing together bars, restaurants, acarajé stalls, small
The history of Lençóis, in Bahia, begins with diamond mining. The origins of the town are linked to the discoveries made in 1844 in Mucugê and
Ponta de Humaitá is one of the most charming spots in Salvador, situated near Monte Serrat Fort on the Itapagipe peninsula. With a stunning view of
A practical guide to things to do in Pelourinho: Baroque churches, museums, squares, a suggested itinerary and tips for making the most of
The beaches of Salvador, Bahia, offer 50 km of coastline with something for everyone: beaches with calm waters perfect for families, reefs that form
Arembepe is a charming village on the north coast of Bahia, around 42 km from Salvador. Known for its historic Hippie Village, the Tamar Project site
Salvador, the capital of Bahia, is a vibrant city where history, Afro-Brazilian culture, music and beaches come together — the perfect setting for
Bahia Maritime Museum: what you need to know before visiting Housed within the iconic Barra Lighthouse, the Bahia Maritime Museum is one of
