A city of sunshine, encounters and new beginnings
On April 13, 2025, Fortaleza will celebrate 299 years of official history. On the eve of its tricentenary, the capital of Ceará invites us to look back, understand the present and envision a vibrant future – made up of light, diversity and possibilities.
Fortaleza is more than a dot on the map. It’s a city that was born out of the encounter between peoples, resisted invasions, flourished on the shores of the Atlantic and today presents itself as one of the most promising destinations for those seeking new beginnings with quality of life, human warmth and a sun that never takes a vacation.
Ancestral land, stage for encounters
Long before 1726 – when it was named a town – the region we now call Fortaleza was already inhabited by indigenous peoples, such as the Potiguaras and Tapuias, who lived in harmony with nature and occupied the riverbanks and coastline with their own way of life. The arrival of Europeans in the 17th century marked the beginning of profound transformations – some painful, others foundational.
The first foreigners to dispute the region were the Dutch, who in 1649 built Fort Schoonenborch, a military structure designed to consolidate their presence in northeastern Brazil. With the retaking of the territory by the Portuguese, the fort was renamed Fortaleza de Nossa Senhora da Assunção (Fortress of Our Lady of the Assumption), a name that ended up baptizing the city itself. So, ironically, the city was born out of a military structure built by foreigners… to protect the land from other foreigners.
The many faces of a city
Over the centuries, Fortaleza was built through the work, faith and dreams of different peoples. Many Africans were brought in by force during the slave-owning period, leaving deep traces in the culture, religion, cuisine and popular resistance. There were also Portuguese from various regions, many of them Sephardic Jews fleeing the Inquisition, who settled in the city as traders, artisans and liberal professionals. In the 20th century, waves of Syrian and Lebanese immigrants found Fortaleza a safe haven to rebuild their lives, opening stores, markets and establishing emotional and commercial ties that are still alive today.
These migratory flows not only formed the city’s DNA – they continue to transform it. Fortaleza is, even today, a city with open doors. A place where the “foreigner” soon becomes a neighbor, a friend, a partner.
Sun, sea and belonging
With 34 km of coastline, a tropical climate and a constant breeze that softens the heat, Fortaleza offers one of the best urban climates in the world. But it’s not just the weather that enchants. It’s the rhythm of life. Here, the sea is more than just a landscape – it’s part of the routine. The city’s beaches, such as Iracema, Futuro and Meireles, are meeting points for locals, tourists and cultures.
Especially in Praia de Iracema, the old bohemian neighborhood is experiencing a renaissance. Restored and revitalized, it has become one of the most desirable addresses for those seeking quality living, culture and proximity to the sea. Cool cafés, cultural centers, art galleries, creative fairs and an effervescent nightlife make the area a hub of urban innovation with a local accent.
A destination for life, not just for vacations
In recent years, Fortaleza has attracted not only tourists, but also foreigners looking for a new place to live. These are European retirees in search of sun and quality of life, digital nomads in search of a connection with nature and access to urban infrastructure, and investors looking for opportunities in the real estate and services sectors.
With affordable living costs, growing access to quality private healthcare services, good international air connectivity, fast internet and a friendly population, Fortaleza has the ideal ingredients for those looking to start a new chapter in life. The growing presence of international communities, bilingual schools and foreign-oriented businesses has made the city a strategic destination for living, investing or entrepreneurship.
300 years on the horizon
On its 299th birthday, Fortaleza is not just a city that has stood the test of time. It’s a city that dreams – and invites others to dream along with it. With its contrasts, challenges and unique beauty, it represents a rare kind of tropical urbanity: where you can live intensely, relax by the sea, do business and still feel at home.
For those seeking a life with more sun, more time, more color and more human warmth, Fortaleza is more than a tourist destination. It’s a point of arrival. Or, better still, a fresh start.
Welcome to Fortaleza! A city with open arms, ready to live the next 300 years – with you.
