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Paraty in Rio de Janeiro

The high tide cleans the Historic Centre streets and washes away back to the sea

Paraty in Rio de Janeiro is one of Rio´s most lovely towns. The city is a Historic Monument in itself. Founded in the XVI century, it became the main port to send the Brazilian gold from Minas Gerais to Europe. Squeezed between the sea and the mountain it still preserves the tranquil environment of those times: the Historic Centre, formed by old Colonial House, several Churches from the XVIII and XIX centuries and cobblestone streets. There are beautiful hostels and inns, bars and restaurants.

Paraty Tourist Attractions

There are several national and international events in Paraty such as the FLIP - Paraty International Literature Festival, the Sugar Cane Festival.

Besides its rich colonial history, Paraty has a blue water bay, several beaches and some fishermen villages. For those adventurous enough, there are boat trips to the neighbouring islands and scuba diving trips.About the historic centre.

The long stagnation process that Paraty underwent ended up preserving the colonial architectural heritage in the area known as the Historic Centre, turning it into a true outdoor museum, and one of the most sought after destinations in the Brazilian coastline.

Through the irregular cobblestone roads tourists from all over the globe walk by admiring the beauty of colonial Brazil. Here former manor houses have been turned into inns, restaurants, museums and shops.

The Historic Centre of Paraty

Paraty also boasts beautiful beaches

The Centre of Paraty is definitively unique, and has been kept as a historical heritage. The area was given to military engineers by the imperial authorities in colonial times in order to develop the village. These engineers planned the streets, squares, churches and residential areas which were organized in full harmony. The architecture is very simple and is basically made of two storey houses along side streets. The high class lived at the nearby haciendas where the great landowners lived in the more impressive manor houses.

The street lighting was provided by whale oil lamps, and the main streets still have a channel in the middle through which the rain water drains and the sea water floods and cleans out the Historic Centre.

No car traffic is allowed in the Historic Centre of Parati in order to preserve it. It is indeed an outdoors museum. But Paraty is a museum where photographs are allowed, and where you can touch everything and revive the past.

List of major colonial buildings:

Paraty Colonial Arquitecture

  • The Chafariz do Pedreira
  • The Casa da Cultura (Culture House) - considered by UNESCO as the most representative piece of architecture of the 18th century.
  • The Sacred Art Museum: Located at the backyard of the Church of Santa Rita, the exhibition is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 17:00 pm

    • Accommodation in Paraty

  • There are plenty of accommodation options in Paraty. From small family run Bed & Breakfast, to Hostels, Pousadas and Hotels.  Here you can find a good selection of Hotels in Paraty (www.InfoParaty.com/en/Accommodation-hotel-bookings), and also the best Rated Hostels in Paraty (www.ParatyHostels.com).
  • Good Value-for-Money Paraty Packages (www.GekoHostel.com)

    • Sobrados (Colonial Warehouses)

  • Rua Matriz (one of the oldest)
  • Rua Dr. Pereira (It has no windows, formerly a deposit it now serves as an atelier for local artists)
  • Príncipe (at Rua Fresca, bordered by imperial palm trees, symbols of the royalty)
  • Rua dos Bonecos (where traditional puppet presentations are held).

    • Religious Monuments:

    The churches are the great attraction. In the colonial times, each one was destined for a specific social class in the highly hierarchical Colonial society. For instance, the Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora dos Remédios was attended by fishermen and white workers; the Igreja Santa Rita by the freed half-breeds; the Igreja Nossa Senhora das Dores by the aristocracy and the Igreja Nossa Senhora dos Rosários e São Benedito by the slaves.


    Military constructions:

    There are many such as the forts and cannons, which guard the memory of the battles of those times: barracks, warehouses and prisons. The most visited ones are:

  • Forte Defensor Perpétuo where the Traditional and Popular Arts Centre and the House of Powder are located.
  • The Patitiba Barracks, which hosts the Public Library and Art Gallery.
  • Fort Iticupê, overlooking the bay.
    • Paraty's Historic Centre Airview

    Visit Paraty in Rio de Janeiro State!

     

    If you are looking for group packages and discounts check out the Paraty Tourist Packages!

     

    Do you like caipirnha? Discover the fun Festival da Pinga - Sugar Cane Liquor Festival. The ultimate caipirinha drinkers´ paradise will take place in Paraty from August 19th to 22nd!

    Click here for: More Information about Paraty

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