Beaches in the Northeast that want to join the discovery route.
Local people question the official version that navigators arrived first in Porto Seguro.
In the year 1500, when Portugal and Spain were exploring the ocean in search of new lands, 13 caravels commanded by the Portuguese nobleman Pedro Álvares Cabral sighted land in the region of Monte Pascoal.
In fact, the Portuguese believed that it was all just one big hill, until Pedro Álvares Cabral suspected that there was a strip of land as well, calling the place Ilha de Vera Cruz.
After other Portuguese expeditions in the region, it was discovered that it was not an island, but a huge continental area, causing the name to be changed again to Terra de Santa Cruz.
After the discovery of brazilwood in 1511, the region became known by its current name: Brazil.
Although almost exclusively used in relation to the voyage of Pedro Álvares Cabral, the term “discovery of Brazil” can also apply to the arrival of the expedition of Spanish navigator and explorer Vicente Yáñez Pinzón, who reached Cape St. Augustine, a promontory located in the present-day state of Pernambuco, on 26 January 1500. It is the oldest proven voyage to Brazilian territory.
Different points along the northeastern coastline seek to be recognised as the true place of the discovery of Brazil.
Praces in the Northeast that want to enter the discovery route
1- Porto Seguro – Bahia
Considered the official site of the arrival of the Portuguese on 22 April 1500, the city of Porto Seguro has tourist attractions dedicated to the historical fact, such as the Memorial of the Epic of Discovery, where tourists can see the replica of one of the caravels of Pedro Álvares Cabral’s squadron.
2- Barra do Cahy – Prado (BA)
Just talk to a Prado resident to see him disgusted with the official version of the story.
According to locals Pedro Alvares Cabral would have given a described in the letter of Pero Vaz de Caminha, which would be proof that Prado is the cradle of discovery.
Barra do Cahy, there is a plaque with an excerpt from the letter, indicating that there is the first beach in Brazil.
3- Praia do Marco – São Miguel do Gostoso and Pedra Grande (RN)
There, in 1501, navigators set the first stone landmark to attest to Portugal’s possession of the newly discovered lands.
Today, those arriving at the beach find a replica of the monument – the original is at the Fortaleza dos Reis Magos, in Natal.
Researchers from the state of Pota argue that it was on this stretch of coast that the Portuguese first arrived.
Among the arguments in favour of this thesis are the shorter distance from the Cape Verde Islands, the starting point of the squadrons, and the conditions of the sea currents and winds.
The idea was taken up by the Secretariat of Tourism of Rio Grande do Norte, which in 2018 launched the “Everything Starts Here” campaign.
4- Cabo de Santo Agostinho – Pernambuco
In 2000, the municipality Cabo de Santo Agostinho celebrated the 500th anniversary of the discovery almost three months earlier than the rest of the country, on 26 January.
Cabo de Santo Agostinho PE - Guia de Turismo
On this date in 1500, the navigator Vicente Yañez Pinzón would have reached a point on the northeastern coast, baptised by him as Cabo de Santa María de la Consolación.
The Spaniard would then have been the first European to set foot on Brazilian soil. For some historians, the landing occurred where today is Cabo de Santo Agostinho, 34 kilometres from Recife.
5- Ponta do Mucuripe – Fortaleza (CE)
There are also researchers who argue that Pinzón actually arrived at Ponta do Mucuripe, where today is the port of Fortaleza.
The strongest historical evidence that the Spanish passed through the region is a map drawn up in October 1500 by the cartographer Juan de la Cosa.
The outlines present in the document indicate knowledge about the Ceará coast.
In Fortaleza there is a neighbourhood called Vicente Pinzón, in honour of the navigator.
