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Spatial hierarchies, Olinda, Municipal Council, Town.
In this dissertation, we analyze the captaincy of Pernambuco’s spatial hierarchies in the late 17th century, as well as the presence of royal officials and the parallel between Olinda’s status and noble people which served in the current municipal council. Therefore, the conflict for controlling municipal budget included both regional elites as colonial governos and others royal authorities. An importante point for the local elite was the restructuring of the economy and the town space, a wishful desire to revive the previous situation, before socially and politically Netherland’s domination. Despite the difficulties faced by the locals, the regional elite remained dominant for much of the period between 1654 and 1711. Disagreements between portuguese colonial control and local authorities represented obstacles to the restructuring and reoccupation of the village after 1654. Portuguese Crown, represented by the Overseas Council and the governors of the captaincy, had interests that diverged from the Olinda’s municipal council, provoking tensions in the balance of the center of power. Thus, the place of assistance of the governors is a topic of debate during the studied period, as well as the condition of "capital" of Olinda, due to its physical structure. The municipal council, then, sought to make improvements that were considered consistent with its position, with arguments that emphasized its "quality" and "capacity".