São Luís is the capital of the Brazilian state of Maranhão. Understand Typical tiled walls in São Luís Although it was founded by the French in 1612 and has also been occupied by the Dutch in the past, São Luis remained a markedly Portuguese colonial city. The buildings with beautiful azulejo (tiles) walls and the cobblestone streets of its well-preserved historic center have been listed a World heritage site by UNESCO. (Sao Luis Wikitravel)