Paraty: History, Culture and Food

Paraty offers plenty to explore on a trip focused on history, art and local food. The Historic Center of Paraty is one of the six components of the UNESCO World Heritage site Paraty and Ilha Grande – Culture and Biodiversity. Its 18th-century urban layout has been preserved, and much of the colonial architecture from the 18th and early 19th centuries still defines the town. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Paraty, consider which of these themes you would most like to shape your stay.

City History and Cultural Heritage

You can explore the Historic Center on foot, following a route that takes in the main sights. A striking landmark at the entrance to the center is the Chafariz do Pedreira at Praça do Chafariz. The fountain was built from marble in 1851. The Igreja Nossa Senhora das Dores also tells the story of the town: it was built in 1800 on Rua Fresca by women from Paraty’s aristocracy.

Religious heritage here encompasses both buildings and living traditions. Churches such as Nossa Senhora do Rosário and Santa Rita, as well as the practices of religious brotherhoods, are part of Paraty’s tangible and intangible heritage. The Museu de Arte Sacra de Paraty (MAS-Paraty) researches, preserves and presents these subjects. It is housed in the Church of Santa Rita, which was inaugurated in 1722. During the Feast of Saint Rita, the museum once again serves as a church; much of the collection is used by the community during festivals and processions.

Museums, Art and Music

Several institutions offer different ways to engage with culture. The Museu Forte Defensor Perpétuo focuses on presenting, researching and exploring the history and memory of Paraty and the region. The Forte Defensor Perpétuo is recognized as a cultural heritage site of Paraty and Brazil and serves as a center of memory for traditional cultures and history.

The Casa da Cultura de Paraty is housed in a mansion dating from 1754. It offers guided tours, workshops and regular courses in cultural heritage, visual arts and music education. The Visitas Mediadas program connects students, residents and visitors with visual arts, music, and Paraty’s cultural and natural heritage through exhibitions and events. The Casa da Música de Paraty is based in the Historic Center. The cultural scene thus spans city history and religious heritage, as well as art and music.

Food Culture and Local Traditions

On October 31, 2017, Paraty joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a City of Gastronomy. Farofa de feijão is a characteristic dish served at the traditional lunch during the Festa do Divino. Cachaça is also part of the gastronomic tradition: during the town’s economic boom in the 19th century, it had more than 150 distilleries.

Another glimpse into local cuisine comes from the history of Folia Gastronômica. The festival showcased traditional and innovative regional cuisine through talks, tastings and training sessions, and was held for 15 years. Together with the traditional dishes and the cachaça tradition, it gives an impression of the diversity of food culture as a travel theme, without suggesting that any one dish represents the entire cuisine.

Walking Tour or Guided Trail

When planning a visit, you can distinguish between a walk through the Historic Center and an excursion along the Caminho do Ouro. The entrance to the Caminho do Ouro is in the Penha neighborhood, opposite the Igreja da Penha. The trail may only be visited with authorized guides because it crosses private property. This access requirement is important if you plan to include the Caminho do Ouro in your trip; a walk through the Historic Center offers a different way to explore Paraty’s sights.

You can plan your trip around your particular interests, whether architecture, sacred art, music, gastronomy or history. These themes can help guide your choice of a holiday apartment in Paraty, but do not imply anything about the location of individual accommodations.

For more travel ideas, you can also visit these destinations: Barra Mansa, Sapucaia, São João De Meriti, Armação Dos Búzios, Tanguá, Cantagalo, Cardoso Moreira and Araruama.

For the broader travel overview: Rio De Janeiro.