Grão Pará: Rock Formations and History

Get to know Grão Pará through its striking natural formations and rich history. Serra Furada is a geological monument with a rock fissure about 45 metres high and 8 metres wide. Serra do Corvo Branco is also part of Grão Pará’s natural heritage and is considered one of the region’s most beautiful tourist attractions. Other highlights include the Festa de São João Batista and the history of Colônia Grão-Pará—different starting points for planning your trip.

Protected area and distinctive rock formations

Parque Estadual da Serra Furada is a Brazilian nature reserve with full protection status, covering an area of 1,330 hectares. It extends across the municipalities of Grão Pará and Orleans. If nature and protected areas are a focus of your trip, the park is a notable landmark in Grão Pará. Its location across two municipalities is part of its geographical context.

The geological monument Serra Furada is also located within the municipal boundaries of Grão Pará. The rock fissure is about 45 metres high and 8 metres wide. It gives its name to the monument, the local community and the park. These two measurements describe the height and width of the striking rock opening, making Serra Furada a tangible natural attraction for anyone interested in geology and distinctive rock formations.

Serra do Corvo Branco offers a different geological highlight: it is home to a cut about 90 metres deep, considered the largest cut in sandstone in Brazil. Grão Pará therefore has two distinct natural features to discover: the rock fissure at Serra Furada and the deep cut in the sandstone at Serra do Corvo Branco. Taking these features into account when choosing a destination can help you make nature a deliberate focus of your trip.

Colonial history and the Festa de São João Batista

The area’s history extends beyond any single attraction. In 1882, the lands of Grão-Pará were selected as the headquarters of the imperial family’s colonisation company, Colônia Grão-Pará. Colônia is considered one of the first settlements in the southern part of the state of Santa Catarina. The early history of the settlement is therefore one of the distinctive subjects through which to explore Grão Pará.

A lively cultural event is the Festa de São João Batista, held in June. The traditional festivities include lighting a bonfire and a fireworks display, and the event attracts thousands of visitors. If you want to plan your stay around a cultural event, the June date is an important point of reference. The festival offers a different focus from the geological features and the history of the settlement.

Getting there and choosing where to stay

From the BR-101, take the SC-438 through Gravatal and Braço do Norte to Grão Pará. These roads and places give you practical guidance for the journey.

If you’d also like to explore other destination pages, you’ll find Nova Veneza, São Lourenço Do Oeste, Itapema, Pirabeiraba, Doutor Pedrinho, Bom Jesus, Curitibanos and Penha here.

For the broader travel overview: Santa Catarina.