Browse the History content available in Guia de Paraty.
8 records in History
The only city on the south coast of Rio de Janeiro with a practically intact colonial urban layout. The foundation is marked by the overlap of cultures: indigenous, Portuguese and African.
The gold flowed through Paraty financed Portugal and part of Europe in the 19th century. XVIII. The path was rediscovered in 1998 and opened to the public in 2003 — today it is one of the main ecotourism trails in the region.
Afro-Brazilian culture is the basis of Paraty's identity: artisanal cachaça, jongo, the São Benedito festival, cirandas, the Quilombo Campinho da Independência (today with ~100 families on 287 hectares).
Decay accidentally preserved the architectural ensemble. Paraty has maintained streets, churches and mansions from the 18th century. XVIII almost unchanged — the main reason why it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Second period of economic prosperity. Paraty was the closest port to ship coffee from the Paraíba Valley to Europe. The architecture of the century. XIX merged with colonial times.
The isolation of almost 70 years was the greatest "conservation" of Brazilian historical heritage. No modernization, no demolition. Brazil advanced; Paraty was stuck in the century. XVIII — and this saved its architecture.
Paraty has become a national reference for preservation. The listing prevented the fate of other Brazilian historic centers that were demolished to make way for avenues and buildings.
The only Brazilian and South American asset with simultaneous cultural and natural UNESCO recognition. It places Paraty on the same international level as Venice, Cartagena de Indias and Old Havana.
