1Rio.net

Unmissable Destinations

It has even won the Unesco (United Nation’s Organization for Education, Science and Culture) title for the "most harmonious of the 18th century”

» Paraty
Paraty: charm, history and culture

Paraty is as famous for its historical center, with charming typical colonial homes and cobblestone streets, protected by thick iron chains, as it is for the popular parties and cultural events it promotes.
The Paraty International Literary Jamboree (Flip), the longstanding Pinga (Cachaca) Festival, the many processions celebrating historical dates, folk and religious celebrations all make for a full schedule that keeps the city hopping all year round.

In the historical center past and present live together in perfect harmony. Centuries old mansions house modern inns, restaurants and cachaçarias (distilleries), while innumerous crafts stores sell typical caiçara (fisher), quilombola (Afro-Brazilian) and indigenous art – the region’s registered trademark.

The products of local artists can be found as much in the city’s large variety of studios as they can be in the open-air, out on the street. The architectural unit formed by the city’s beautiful houses and churches inspire masters of the canvas and brushes. It has even won the Unesco (United Nation’s Organization for Education, Science and Culture) title for the "most harmonious of the 18th century”.

Paraty is surrounded by spectacular natural landscapes and an extensive Natural Park system protected by environmental laws, including Serra da Bocaina, one of the richest examples of Brazilian Atlantic Forest. There are innumerous islands, beaches and waterfalls, like the Pedra Branca, with its five meter falls, small showers and natural pools. Truly unmissable.

How to get there
By car, via BR-101 (Rio-Santos). There is also regular bus service from the Novo Rio bus station. Paraty is 240 Km from Rio de Janeiro.

Main attractions
The Casa de Cultura, which offers a synthesis of the city’s history from an arts perspective, and the Teatro Espaço, headquarters of the Storytellers Group and its famous silent puppet theater, which has already toured Brazil and several other countries.

Caminho do Ouro, a reconstitution of the trails built by slaves in the 17th and 19th centuries which connected the states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Minas Gerais. There are two possible itineraries in the Serra da Bocaina National Park, with its springs, waterfalls, grottos and natural viewpoints.

Visit to the plantations near the city (less than 10 Km away): Coqueiro, Maré Alta, Corisco, Itatinga, Vamos Nessa and D´Ouro plantation, besides Muryana Farm on the Paraty-Cunha highway, which still runs an Alambique-Escola (distillery school), an antique museum and a modern leisure center.

Website
http://www.pmparaty.rj.gov.br