Paraibuna: History, Paçoca and Nature

Paraibuna combines a rich local history with a Paçoca tradition spanning more than a hundred years, as well as nature and water activities in the municipality. Mansions around Praça da Matriz, Igreja Matriz – Paróquia Santo Antônio, and the building of Fundação Cultural Benedicto Siqueira e Silva, constructed in 1878 for a cotton hosiery factory, reflect different aspects of its history. When planning your trip, you can decide how to balance architecture and history, regional cuisine, and nature and outdoor activities.

History in the buildings and townscape

A walk through the historic centre offers a glimpse into the past of this 300-year-old town. Most of the mansions around Praça da Matriz date from the 19th century. They follow the colonial style and were built almost entirely from rammed earth. This construction method offers a tangible insight into the historic townscape.

Igreja Matriz – Paróquia Santo Antônio also offers a point of reference in time: construction began in 1872, and the official inauguration took place on 7 September 1886. The building of Fundação Cultural Benedicto Siqueira e Silva was constructed in 1878 to house a cotton hosiery factory. The foundation maintains a Historical Archive with rare documents available for research. The buildings and archive show the different ways in which Paraibuna’s past can be explored. Bica D’água is considered both tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Paraibuna.

Paçoca, music and special events

The municipality of Paraibuna has a tradition of making Paçoca by hand that is more than 100 years old. On Sunday mornings, producers prepare Paçoca in the traditional way at Mercado Municipal. Visitors can watch and take part. As the schedule may change, check before your visit to confirm that the event is taking place.

Every Sunday from 10 a.m., Domingueira da Viola takes place behind Mercado Municipal. It features performances of Caipira and Sertaneja music; check the date and venue before your trip. The Feira de Turismo – FEITUR “José Benedicto Vilhena” takes place in the first half of June as part of the celebrations marking the anniversary of Paraibuna. The specific dates may change.

Another link between the town and the travel experience is the Rota da Luz: it passes through Paraibuna, and pilgrims travel along it to the Santuário Nacional de Nossa Senhora Aparecida.

Water, forest and outdoor activities in the municipality

At Represa de Paraibuna, the Paraitinga and Paraibuna rivers meet to form the Rio Paraíba do Sul. The reservoir is used for sport fishing, regattas, motorboat and boat trips, sailing, canoeing and jet skiing. A range of activities on the water are available.

At Parque Natural Municipal Dr. Rui Calazans de Araújo, also known as Parque do Fundão, plants and animals of the Atlantic Forest are protected. They can be easily observed along the available trails. The municipality has dirt roads and trails for cycling, including challenging routes. A total of 333 bird species have been recorded in the municipality of Paraibuna, including 323 documented with photographs and 105 with audio recordings. These recorded figures may change.

Nearby is Mirante dos Remédios, one of the highest points in the municipality. In clear weather, it offers views of the towns of Vale do Paraíba. There is also a chapel at the viewpoint dedicated to Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, the patron saint of Black people.

Choose the right focus for your trip

When looking for a holiday rental, you can narrow down your priorities: are historic architecture and local cuisine your main interests, or would you also like to plan nature and water activities in the municipality? Then choose the exact location of your accommodation to suit your itinerary. If seasonal or Sunday events are important to your trip, check their dates in advance.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Santa Branca, Itapeva, Iporanga, Lençóis Paulista, Novo Horizonte, Taubaté, Limeira, Piracicaba.

For the regional travel overview: São Paulo.