A TREASURE CHEST
Whoever has the privilege of reading NITERÓI IN FACTS AND PHOTOS finds that inside it there is a chest with a precious treasure : more than two hundred pages with hundreds of carefully taken photos that , in several chapters , show the natural and architectural beauties of Niterói , including in stunning aerial views . A blessed scenario , with captivating landscapes , beautiful beaches of the Guanabara Bay and the ocean shore , offered to this beautiful city by the generous hands of God . A rich historical heritage , museums with precious collections , the Municipal Theatre ( from 1842 , the first in the country to present a genuinely Brazilian play ), parks , forts ( such as the Santa Cruz Fortress ), ecclesiastical works that have revealed the spirituality of Niterói for centuries , as well as an expressive collection of works by modernist genius Oscar Niemeyer , including the internationally known Contemporary Art Museum of Niterói .
This book sheds a light on the past , as in the Church of São Lourenço dos Índios , symbol of the foundation of the village ( at that time ) – “ the landmark , smelling of incense , from where Niterói was born ”, in the sensitive trove of Vilmar Lassance – and the location of the first play in Brazil , Auto de São Lourenço , with verses by Spanish priest José de Anchieta . In that temple are the origins of the city , at the end of the 16th century , 447 years ago , with the indigenous leader Arariboia . This book continues , following with images an imaginary thread to reach the visionary outsider judge José Clemente Pereira , responsible for the first steps in the urbanization of the Royal Village of Praia Grande ( 1819 ), then Nictheroy ( 1835 ), imperial city , headquarters of the first Normal School of Brazil and the Americas , former capital of the province and state of Rio de Janeiro , with its relevant Republic Square , where there are the headquarters of the more than century-old Rio de Janeiro Academy of Letters , inside the Niterói Park Library , the Palace of Justice and the building of the former Legislative Assembly – currently the City Council .
There is yet another invisible part , but one that can be felt : the welcoming soul of Niterói .
The “ Smile City ”, a university city , friendly not only to those who were born here , but also to those who come here from other states and countries and become involved and integrated to the place , helping to build its progress and leading us to imagine and recognize how many challenges have been faced , how many victories have been achieved .
This exquisite publication , with excellent graphic quality , is destined to stay for the infinite times by filling a significant space , which expresses the greatness of Niterói to the world and makes it possible to better know , admire and make us proud of our city . This book , carried out through the Incentive-to-Culture Law , had the precious collaboration of the City Hall , which recognized its importance .
It is necessary , for justice and merit , to emphasize the loving effort of the project ’ s authors , the siblings Franciane Barbosa and Antonio Schumacher , of DB Editora – the latter also responsible for the photographic art –, and of the team of journalists and researchers who have long been investing their talents to offer us this unique book . To all of them , our best recognition and applause .
For all that this treasure chest contains , it will raise the self-esteem and the collective awareness towards the appreciation of Niterói by all of those who , knowing it better , will be able to love it even more . Thus , the book NITERÓI IN FACTS AND PHOTOS represents an extraordinary and deserved gift for the city .
Waldenir de Bragança , MD President of the Rio de Janeiro Academy of Letters ( AFL )
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