Forte dos Reis Magos
Located at Praia do Forte.
The fortress was built in 1,598, using wood, stones, sand and whale oil; it was the first building in Natal. The designer, Gaspar de Samperes, adopted the conventional design for a maritime fortress: a five corners stars.
In 12th December 1,633, the fortress was taken over by the Dutch, who stayed until January of 1,654, when the Portuguese, helped by the Indians, regained the place.
Centro de Turismo de Natal
Rua Aderbal de Figueiredo, 980 Petropolis.
The building dates back to late 19th century, and has a long history: it was an asylum for beggars, then an orphanage, then a prison. Since 1976, it has been a tourist center, housing handcraft, restaurant and a folkloric show (the show is an attraction itself) Each shop occupies one of the cells of the former prison. Nice view of the city and Potengi river.
Catedral Nova Cidade
Av. Marechal Deodoro.
The cathedral started to be built more than 30 years ago, but it isn't finished yet. It's the largest catholic worshiping place in Natal.
Farol da Mae Luiza
Via Costeira, close to Areia Preta.
The farol (light house) is still used today to help orientation of ships in the Natal coast; built in 1,951, the tower is 37 m high and has 150 steps to reach the top.
Centro de Lançamento de Foguetes Barreira do Inferno
Estrada de Pirangi (Rota do Sol), km 11
The name is Portuguese for Rocket Launcher Barrier of Hell; barrier of hell is a reference to the very high red fallesians which abound in the beaches of the region.
Because of its position, almost right on the Equatorial line, Natal is a good place for aero spatial centers (that's the main reason why American shuttles are launched from Florida, instead of Houston).
The center is open to visitation, but these must be appointed in advance. Several photos and actual rocket pieces, explained by especialists.
The biggest cashew tree in the world
Rua do Cajueiro Pirangi.
It's registered in the Guinness book as the tree which covers the largest area, 8,400 square meters; that's bigger than a normal football field. Because of a genetic mutation, the branches of this tree grows sideways, instead of upwards; when a branch touches the ground, it doesn't create roots, but a new ramification starts to grow.
SHOPPING
Natal Fashion Mall
Av. Salgado Filho, 2234; 10 min. drive from Ponta Negra, 15 min. from Praia do Meio; served by several bus lines. It's the biggest shopping center in Natal, but far from being impressive, by international standards. Two floors, about 100 shops (including about 20 restaurants), two play grounds, two movie theatres, shops catering most for middle and upper classes.
Top floor: a McDonald's restaurant (one of the two in Natal); a Banco do Brasil branch (two of the ATMs allow credit card withdraws); one of the biggest play parks in Natal; one of the best book shops in Natal (which also rents computers for internet access); clothing, drugstore, sound and video, perfumes, etc.
Lower floor: a restaurant square; online computers offering intenet access (there is very little privacy here; better to use the computers of the book shop upstairs); two movie theatres; a few other shops; the central space is usually taken by several sorts of expositions (cultural, commercial, governmental, etc.
Art craft and Handcraft fairs
Natal has a few permanent art craft and handcraft fairs.
It looks like this: several (tens or close to a hundred) small barrows, either in a spacious loft or in open air, independently owned and run, offering several kinds of art craft, handcraft, gadgets, food, etc. Always shop around before buying, as usually more than one barrow offer the same product. However low the prices may look, always bargain, particularly if you buy two or more items.
ArtesaNat
BR 101 - close to Via Direta and Natal Shopping (Fashion Mall)
This fair has official support of the mayor of Natal
Feira de Artesanato de Ponta Negra
Av. Eng. Roberto Freire
Big loft with about 40 barrows. Clay sculptures, hammocks, etc.
MUSEUMS
Opening hours of museums may change, so call before coming. Most of museums are either free or have a symbolic fee. All places should be well known by most taxi drivers.
Notice also that Cidade Alta, a quartier in the old downtown, concentrates several of the museums.
Forte dos Reis Magos
Directions: Praia do Forte. Phone: 211-4959
The fortress was built in 1,598, using wood, stones, sand and whale oil; it was the first building in Natal. The designer, Gaspar de Samperes, adopted the conventional design for a maritime fortress: a five corners stars.
In 12th December 1,633, the fortress was taken over by the Dutch, who stayed until January of 1,654, when the Portuguese, helped by the Indians, regained the place.
Memorial Camara Cascudo
Av. Camara Cascudo Cidade Alta
Camara Cascudo was a sociologist who dedicated his life to studying the culture of Natal and Rio Grande do Norte; his merits are recognized throughout the country.
This is the home where Cascudo and his wife spend most of their lives; after his death, she lived in the house until 1,997, when she died. In 2,001, the place was turned in a museum, which shows personal objects of Mr. Cascudo.
Don't confuse this Memorial with the Museum Camara Cascudo (see below).
Museum Camara Cascudo
Av. Hermes da Fonseca, 1398 Tirol Phone 215-4192
Museum of natural science and anthropology, maintained by the Federal University.
Diversified expositions: fossils found in the region; skeletons of several animals: whale, elephant, lion, etc; artwork from Indians and afro-brazilians; pieces of historic relevance.
Museu da Cultura Popular
Rua Chile, 106 Ribeira, Natal Phone: 221-2066
Museum dedicated to the popular culture of Natal.
Exhibits pictures and writings depicting folkloric activities, handcraft, books and costumes.
Instituto Historico e Geografico do Rio Grande do Norte
Rua Conceição, 622 Cidade Alta Phone: 221-1228
The oldest official cultural archive. Contains photos, newspapers and magazines showing past life of Natal.
Espaco Cultural Palacio Potengi
Praca Sete de Setembro, Cidade Alta
Building construction finished in 1,873. Former head office of the State government. Today it exhibits several cultural and artistic expositions and also the state paintings collection.
Museu de Arte Sacra
Rua Santo Antonio, 698, Cidade Alta Phone 211-4236
Museum of religious art (catholic). Work pieces dated from centuries 17 through 20. Images, sculptures, costumes and other material, which was used in catholic worships.
NIGHT LIFE
Much of the fun happens at Ponta Negra beach. Several of the bars and restaurants stay open until late, especially on weekends.
Forró com Turistas
Folkloric shows and dances, every Thursday, 10pm. Shows take place inside the same historic building which houses the Centro de Turismo.
Forró is probably the most traditional popular dance in Natal and all the Brazilian northeast;
The dance was the means that poorer people used to have fun (some say that the name Forro is a corruption of the English term "for all", meaning that everyone could join in). The dance is danced together and has very basic movements; the house offers instructors to teach how to "forró".
Zas Tras
Folkloric shows and dances on stage. They have shows from Monday through Saturday, but the shows change; according to their website, currently there are shows devoted to the Natal culture, the Brazilian culture and Capoeira.
Notice that the shows are directed mostly to the Brazilian tourists, so they are all spoken in English; however, because it's basically a show of movements, language should not be a problem to enjoy the spectacle.
Albatroz
Praca Cívica
Want to really mix up with Brazilian young people? Albatroz is a kind of discotheque, forró, samba, etc. Frequented by popular young natalenses of all social classes, with predominance of lower and middle class. Albatroz is way off the beaten tourist path.
It opens a few nights a week; each night has a different kind of music (so, a different kind of audience). Prices are popular.
Albatroz is located right off one of the corners of Praca Cívica, in Petrópolis, well known by any taxi driver.
Chaplin
Praia dos Artistas
Phones: 202-1188/ 202-1199
A big disco with different ambiences. Several ambiences: a disco downstair, a videobar, a pub, a forró saloon. The place may get really crowded, smokey and hot. Open from Thursday to Saturday. Check before going.
Taverna
The Tavern. A mix of pub and disco located at the basement of youth hostel Lua Cheia, in Ponta Negra. Attended by the guests of the hostel and by the young people of Natal.
