Bezerros is a city in the interior of north-east Brazil. It is a one-hour car ride from Recife, the coastal capital of the the state of Pernambuco.

Many tourists head to Brazil just for the beaches, but take a visit to the interior and you will see the real Brazil. Bezerros is a good base for this. It is located between the lush topical coast and the dry Sertao, within a hilly dividing line between the two known as the Agreste.

The Serra Negra range of mountains offer spectacular views of the great dry plans that spread out beyond the hills, with lakes and caves where visitors can rock climb, trek, horseride or take a Jeep tour. Bezerros is the "Gateway to the Serra Negra"

The city offers other attractions. It is home of the Crentro de Artesanato do Pernambuco, with representations of the work of 220+ artists. The works tell a story of the folklore, legends and mythology from the region, expressed in many ways, and materials. Also in the region are the most famous artists of woodcut printing, the family of J Borges. The work is featured on the cover of popular literature, the Cordel (Chap Books). The Carnival here is also a great expression of creativity and one of the most popular in the interior. These three features make Bezerros the "Creative Capital of Pernambuco".

Carnival in Bezerros is also unique as it features the use of masks. Neighbours feed neighbours a corn porridge called Ángu during carnival. The masks save the greedy from embarrassment, allowing them to eat as much as they like. This gave rise to the name Papangu (eat Angu), and gives Bezerros the third claim to fame as "City of Papangu".

If all this is not enough, you can also take a walk around the cities markets, historic churches, well maintained squares and the old railway station, The railway was built by the British owned Great Western Brazilian Railway. Today the station houses the city museum and a museum of Papangu Carnival.

From Bezerros it is also possible to take short trips to Gravata (waterfalls, forest walks and horseriding), Bonito (the best waterfalls in the region) or Caruaru, home of earthenware sculptors and large craft markets. Caruaru also hosts the best São João Party in Pernambuco, during which Frevo, a music of the north-east and of carnival, can be heard.

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