Colonial Gem

Traveling through Latin American countries is especially appealing to me because of the colonial-style architecture that can be admired everywhere. The cities shaped by the Spanish and Portuguese, with their magnificent facades, secluded patios, spacious squares and beautiful churches are enchanting to me. This joy is quite ambivalent, knowing that most of the buildings were built by slaves and their use was originally reserved only for the wealthy colonialists. Anyway, one of my favorite colonial settlements is the small town of Olinda in Brazil’s northeast. Many of the baroque buildings there are in poor condition, but precisely because of that they exude a special charm. The gentrification of the colonial center is progressing, however my impression is that a fairly healthy mix of people live there today, different presumably from when it was built.

Olinda (Brazil), April 2018