In the mid-17th century, the captaincy of Pernambuco was colonized by the Dutch. One of the rulers who led the Dutch Invasion in Brazil was Prince Maurice of Nassau. During his stay in Recife, Nassau carried out a process of urbanization in the city.
In addition, on the island of Santo Antônio, near Recife, Nassau created a city named after him, Cidade Mauritius (or Mauristaad, in Dutch). This was created in order to have geometric lines in the fifteen streets of the city, in addition to the creation of canals.
With this proposal for the creation of urban space, Maurício de Nassau intended to build a replica, in Pernambuco, of the Dutch city of Amsterdam. Beautiful buildings were built, including two palaces.
Nassau also intended to take part of the population of Recife to live in the City of Mauritius, mainly due to the high rents that were charged in the old city of Pernambuco. What was lacking were means of connection between the island where the City of Mauritius and Recife were located. Without the means of connection, it was difficult to encourage people to move, mainly because the commercial area of the region was located in Recife.
To solve this problem, Mauritius de Nassau ordered the construction of two bridges: one connecting the city of Mauritius to Recife and the other connecting the city to the mainland. This project was completed in 1644. Other constructions were also carried out, such as the construction of a hospital and a market.
These measures showed a Dutch concern to urbanize the colony, giving other characteristics to the colonial settlement, in a situation different from that practiced by Portugal.
By Me. Tales Pinto
