The city located in the far northeast of Brazil has a clear connection with the Christian tradition, starting from its name. The toponym Natal, in fact, refers to the Christian nativity because the foundation of the city dates back precisely to December 25 (1599). And almost two years earlier another event linked the city to the liturgical calendar: on January 6, 1598, the construction of the Fortress of Natal began, aptly called the Three Wise Men. The fortress, which can be visited, includes a chapel with a central well, prisoner cells, soldiers’ quarters, a dining room for the captain and commanders, a wall for executions, and a secret passage exclusively for the captain’s use.
What to see in Natal
Arriving at the Natal airport, the closest in South America to the European continent, one of the most popular tourist programs is the tour along the entire Natal coastline aboard the so-called dune buggy, a car suitable for sandy terrain.
Among the many beaches with soft white sand worth noting is definitely Ponta Negra, which has become one of the nerve centers of Natal thanks also to the numerous restaurants, where you can taste typical dishes based on fish and meat. Even more fascinating is Morro do Careca, at the end of Ponta Negra, where sea, mountain, and dunes meet to offer a natural spectacle. Dominating the Natal coastline is the Farol da Mãe Luíza, the lighthouse still used by the Brazilian Navy and open for visits on Sunday afternoons.
For animal lovers, a visit to the Natal Aquarium, located along the road from Redinha to Jenipabu, is unmissable. The institute, founded and managed by a family of retired biologists and environmentalists, houses about 60 marine species (including piranhas, rays, and sharks) and animals from surrounding environments (including monkeys, snakes, turtles, and lizards).
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