Captaincy of Cumã

The French who arrived there, led by Daniel de La Touche, established friendships with these communities and built the first chapel a short time later.

In 1646, after reclaiming the area, Tapuitapera was elevated to the town of Santo Antônio de Alcântara and began to be active with sugar mills and cotton production.

A Royal Letter from 1753 found in the Resgate Project mentions that the Captaincy of Cumã was bought and reincorporated into the Kingdom of Portugal.

Geographically, the Captaincy of Cumã occupied the region between the mouths of the Mearim, Pindaré and Turiaçu rivers.

[3] Later, Alcântara became the largest production center in Maranhão, rivaling São Luís when the local economy was based on cotton and slave labor.

Alcântara's pillory.
Ruins of the Mother Church of Saint Matthias, a symbol of Alcântara.The church was allegedly built in 1622 and struck by lightning in 1875, which caused the collapse of the roof and condemned its structure, although there is no historical consensus. [ 2 ]
Ruins of the Royal Palace of Alcântara.