Locations
Paraty
Paraty (credits: André Azevedo/Divulgação Secretaria de Cultura de Paraty)
Houses that are representative of the architecture of colonial times, uneven cobblestone streets, beaches with calm, crystal-clear waters. Considered one of Brazil's most harmonious colonial architectural ensembles, Paraty charms us with its history as well as with its natural beauty: beaches, rivers, waterfalls and mountains. Listed as a historical patrimony by IPHAN (the National Institute of Artistic and Historical Patrimony), now Paraty positions itself to be listed as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage by Unesco.
The city has an intense cultural life, with a year-long calendar of activities, among which are the traditional Paraty International Literary Party (Flip), that takes place in July; the Paraty Cachaça, Culture and Flavors Festival, in August; and the International Photography Festival (Focus on Paraty), in September.
Used as a location for feature films, telenovelas, mini-series and music videos, in early 2011 Paraty welcomed the stars of the Twilight saga for the filming of the next-to-last picture of that series, Breaking Dawn-Part 1. A waterfall in the Taquari region, about 20 km from the city center, will be seen in one of the scenes.
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Its hotels are mostly small inns, many of them located in the historical city center.
Paraty is positioned at an average of five meters altitude and that accounts for an interesting phenomenon: from time to time many of its streets are invaded by the high tide. Because of that, the city was named “the Brazilian Venice”.
The Ilha Grande bay attracts many scuba divers.
In the vicinity of the Paraty Mirim one can find ruins of old colonial buildings.
The beach – located at the mouth of the Paraty Mirim river and next to the Nossa Senhora da Conceição church - is approximately 800m long, with warm, calm, transparent and green waters.
The Pedra Branca waterfall is five meters high, with transparent waters forming a natural pool.
The Pedra Lisa waterfall, in Taquari, also offers natural pools, slides and showers. The trail leading there is an attraction in itself.
The Santa Rita de Cássia church was opened in 1722. Built in limestone in baroque-rococo style, it’s currently home to the Paraty Religious Art Museum.
Situated in the Santa Rita Square, the Patitiba Quarters were once the public jail. Now they’re home to the Paraty Historical and Artistic Institute and to a library.
The Nossa Senhora dos Remédios Parish Church is the largest in Paraty and was named after the city’s patron Saint. The temple was built during the mid-17th century, remodeled in 1712, and its current structure was erected in 1873.
The Nossa Senhora do Rosário church is also dedicated to São Benedito. Construction began in 1725. The church was meant for the black slaves that helped build it.
Used as a public school until the end of the 19th century, the building that is now known as Casa da Cultura offers a permanent multimedia exhibition about the city’s cultural production.
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