Colonial centre
Old streets.
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Marechal Deodoro is a historic town of about 52,000 people in Greater Maceió, on the shores of Lagoa Manguaba; it was the first capital of Alagoas, and its colonial centre is still one of the state's main sights. It was founded on 5 August 1591 as a village to protect brazilwood from smugglers and pirates, became a «vila» in 1636 and the capital of the new province of Alagoas in 1817, until the capital moved to Maceió in 1839. It is the birthplace of Marshal Manuel Deodoro da Fonseca, Brazil's first president, whose name it has carried since 1939, and every 15 November it becomes the state's symbolic capital again. Its centre keeps colonial streets and houses and a museum with belongings and documents of Deodoro. The town looks over the lagoon, and its land includes the famous Praia do Francês, combining history and the sea in a day trip from Maceió.
Old streets.
Lagoon views.
In the municipality.
Marechal Deodoro, on Lagoa Manguaba, Greater Maceió, Alagoas state
From 1817 to 1839.