HISTÓRIA DO RIO GRANDE DO NORTE
Autor: Conhecimentos e Interatividades | Publicado: 2011-06-16T14:29:00-03:00

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O Estado do Rio grande do Norte encontra-se historicamente inserido no processo de colonização brasileira devido à sua localização geográfica, na esquina do continente sul-americano, ponto mais próximo à África. Acredita-se até que o Brasil tenha sido descoberto em terras potiguares.


Contudo, passado o período pré-colonial em que o Brasil ficou praticamente abandonado, temendo a invasão dos corsários franceses e holandeses que circulavam pelo litoral nordestino, o então Rei da Espanha e Portugal Felipi II ordenou ao Capitão-Mor de Pernambuco - Mascarenhas Homem, que organizasse uma expedição para o Rio Grande.


Em 25 de dezembro de 1597 na barra do Rio Grande (Potengi), começaram os trabalhos de entrincheiramento e abrigo, com varas cortadas do mangue próximo. No Dia dos Reis Magos, 06 de janeiro de 1598, deu-se início a construção de um forte, na praia, em pau-a-pique, barreados com lama do mangue. Arvorou-se a cruz sob as salvas da artilharia, hasteou-se a bandeira com as armas reais, e um sacerdote presente deu a benção. Daí a origem do nome, Fortaleza dos Reis Magos, cuja planta de autoria do Frei Gaspar de Samperes, continha as características das construções coloniais portuguesas.


Em princípios de 1628 a Fortaleza estava concluída. Provida de nove canhões de ferro e quarenta soldados. Natal então já tinha oito casas e uma igreja.

Fortaleza e não forte, Hélio Galvão esclarece a dúvida: "Forte é uma pequena edificação sem guarda permanente. Fortaleza, ao contrário, é um grande edifício com um contingente de soldados permanente."