In distant times, the Dutch arrived in Brazil. They came as conquerors, in search of the riches of sugar. Therefore, they landed in the Northeast. Among them was Count João Maurício de Nassau, who arrived in 1637 to administer the lands. He looked at that New World and declared it to be 'a fortunate country.' He then tasked his entourage with recording the lands and skies, with a level of detail never before seen.

The first astronomical observatory, the first garden, a large collection of exotic objects, a palace, maps, paintings of people, plants, animals, and places emerged with the Dutch presence in Northeast Brazil. Much of what was that landscape more than three centuries ago would not have left a memory if it had not been described, measured, studied, and drawn by them.

Today, it is possible to look at this collection of records and designate it as 'common heritage.'

This is the theme that, with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the production of the Landscape Studies Research Group, is presented here.