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Marechal Deodoro has a beach that is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil, Praia do Francês, as well as a historic centre where you can find colonial houses, baroque churches and neoclassical buildings.
With the name of Marechal Deodoro, in honour of Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca, from Alagoas who was the first president of the republic of Brazil, it was considered by the Ministry of Culture as a National Historical Heritage, due to its past and having been the birthplace of Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca, proclaimer of the Brazilian Republic.
History of Marechal Deodoro
The town of Santa Maria Madalena da Lagoa do SuI began to form in the 16th century, when it witnessed the siege of French troops in the Northeast.
It grew and became rich on the back of sugar mills; it was designated capital of the province of Alagoas until 1839, when it lost its position to Maceió.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the city was named after its most famous son, a military man who proclaimed the Republic and became the first president of Brazil.
Tourist Map of the South Coast of Alagoas
Marechal Deodoro, listed by Iphan as a historical and cultural heritage site in 2006, preserves traces of the various phases of this past: in its historic centre of Marechal Deodoro are scattered colonial houses, baroque churches and neoclassical style buildings, such as the luxurious Provincial Palace (Rua Dr. Tavares Bastos, s/n, Centro), which at the beginning of the 19th century housed the government of the province and today houses the City Hall.
Map of the main beaches of the south coast of Alagoas
However, Marechal Deodoro’s rich cultural heritage is not the only reason for the municipality’s existence. Nature has given it the beautiful beach of Frances, whose name – inevitable, history reappears – evokes the invaders of the early days of colonisation.
Videos about Marechal Deodoro AL
Marechal Deodoro - Guia de Turismo02:41
Museu de Artes Sacra de Marechal Deodoro
Praia do Francês em Alagoas02:19
Massagueira em Alagoas02:07
TOURIST POINTS OF MARECHAL DEODORO
1. FRANCISCAN COMPLEX (MUSEUM OF SACRED ART)
The architectural ensemble formed by the church of Santa Maria Madalena and the Franciscan convent, built between 1684 and 1723, is one of the most precious architectural treasures of Alagoas.
The baroque façade of both stands out among the old houses, while the interior features the baroque carving of the convent chapel and the beautiful illusionist painting on the church ceiling by the Pernambuco artist José Eloi.
This complex has housed the State Museum of Sacred Art since 1984. Its collection comprises around 200 pieces, including polychrome sculptures, paintings on canvas, furniture, jewellery and liturgical objects dating from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.
Highlights of the collection include an image of Our Lady of O, made in the 17th century, and the crown of the city’s patron saint, Our Lady of the Conception, from the same period.
To this day, the crown is used in the processions of the Day of Kings, on 6 January. Visits are monitored by a guide from the town hall, but in October 2007 the museum was closed for restoration. Praҫa João XXIII, s/n, Centre.
2. MARECHAL DEODORO’S HOUSE
Transformed into a museum, the house where Manuel Deodoro da Fonseca (1827-92) lived is, of course, one of the most popular attractions in the city.
It is an 18th-century mansion which, with the exception of the façade, has lost its original architectural features.
Its collection includes furniture and paintings, which allow us to reconstitute daily life at the time of the proclamation of the Republic, as well as personal objects of the Marshal – his weapon and uniform, for example.
The building is listed as a historical heritage site. Rua Marechal Deodoro, s/n, Centre.
3. FRANCES BEACH
Located 8 kilometres from Marechal Deodoro in Alagoas, Frances beach has waters that oscillate from blue to dark green and clear, soft sands.
A strip of reefs approximately 5 kilometres long forms a natural pool, suitable for sports such as sailing, jet-skiing and banana boating.
In contrast to the calm stretch, there is another where the waves are very strong, great for surfing. The beach usually hosts one of the stages of the Northeastern Circuit of Professional Surfing.
The seafront, lined with bars and restaurants, is constantly busy.
MASSAGUEIRA IN ALAGOAS
The district of Massagueira, 10 kilometres from Marechal Deodoro and on the banks of the Manguaba lagoon, remains a rustic fishing village, full of bars serving irresistible prawns, crabs and sururus.
However, the region’s gastronomic fame is due to the regional fruit-flavoured cocadas, sold along the access road to the village, along with other delicious delicacies such as broas, suspiros and manioc cake.
Tourism and Travel Guide to Marechal Deodoro, Massagueira and Praia do Frances in Alagoas