A pale stone arched gateway and observatory tower at the edge of Recife Antigo, named after the Russian fortress that captured the imagination of Brazilian engineers in the 1850s. Originally part of the naval arsenal, it now operates as a cultural centre with rotating exhibitions of contemporary art and photography.
The tower itself can be climbed for a quick view over the river mouth and the colonial waterfront. Hours are limited and most visitors come for the architecture rather than what is inside.