Caruaru

Caruaru and its crafts center, Alto do Moura (6 km/4 mi south of Caruaru), became famous in the 1960s and '70s for clay figurines made by local artisan Mestre Vitalino. There are now more than 500 craftspeople working in Alto do Moura. All are inspired by Vitalino, whose former home is now a museum, open Monday-Saturday 8-noon and 2-6 and Sunday 8-noon. At the crafts center you can buy not only figurines, which depict Northeasterners doing everyday things, but also watch the artisans work.