The Historic Port Town of Paraty, Paraty, Brazil
Looking down the cobblestone street we saw a long row of white homes with colourful rounded door and window frames. This charming view continued throughout the entire historic port town of Paraty making it one of Brazil鈥檚 colonial gems.
Paraty鈥檚 position on the edge of Baia da聽Ilha Grande聽on Costa Verde led to its fascinating history as a port town. It began in the early 1600s as a fishing village, but when gold started to be taken from the mines in聽Ouro Preto, Paraty was found to be the perfect harbour to ship gold to Portugal. The precious mineral was brought down from Ouro Preto following trails that had already been made by the indigenous Guaian谩. The trails earned the nickname 鈥楻ota do Ouro鈥� (Gold Route). The vast amount of gold brought pirates who lurked in neighbouring coves waiting for the ships to leave. Continuous pirate raids eventually led the Portuguese to find another port to transport their gold.
When gold exports stopped, Paraty鈥檚 port was used to ship sugarcane to Portugal. At that time the area also became known for its production of high quality Cacha莽a; a spirit made from sugarcane. This reputation continues today. When sugarcane became less profitable, the port was used to export coffee. Each iteration meant another growth spurt to this small community. Eventually a railroad was built from聽Rio de Janeiro聽to聽S茫o Paulo and Paraty鈥檚 harbour was no longer ideal. By the late 1800s the town was abandoned and sat relatively empty and alone in the Atlantic Rainforest. In the 1970s a highway was built along Costa Verde that connected Paraty to the rest of the country. This resulted in the town being rediscovered and revitalized. This time however, its history is its gold. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
Paraty鈥檚 position on the edge of Baia da聽Ilha Grande聽on Costa Verde led to its fascinating history as a port town. It began in the early 1600s as a fishing village, but when gold started to be taken from the mines in聽Ouro Preto, Paraty was found to be the perfect harbour to ship gold to Portugal. The precious mineral was brought down from Ouro Preto following trails that had already been made by the indigenous Guaian谩. The trails earned the nickname 鈥楻ota do Ouro鈥� (Gold Route). The vast amount of gold brought pirates who lurked in neighbouring coves waiting for the ships to leave. Continuous pirate raids eventually led the Portuguese to find another port to transport their gold.
When gold exports stopped, Paraty鈥檚 port was used to ship sugarcane to Portugal. At that time the area also became known for its production of high quality Cacha莽a; a spirit made from sugarcane. This reputation continues today. When sugarcane became less profitable, the port was used to export coffee. Each iteration meant another growth spurt to this small community. Eventually a railroad was built from聽Rio de Janeiro聽to聽S茫o Paulo and Paraty鈥檚 harbour was no longer ideal. By the late 1800s the town was abandoned and sat relatively empty and alone in the Atlantic Rainforest. In the 1970s a highway was built along Costa Verde that connected Paraty to the rest of the country. This resulted in the town being rediscovered and revitalized. This time however, its history is its gold. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
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Sights Featured in This Article
Guide Name: The Historic Port Town of Paraty
Guide Location: Brazil » Paraty
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Insider Tips)
Author: Maggie Kayes
Read it on Author's Website:
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: Brazil » Paraty
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Insider Tips)
Author: Maggie Kayes
Read it on Author's Website:
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Paraty Port
- Nossa Senhora dos Remedios
- Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Ros谩rio
- Igreja de Nossa Senhora das Dores
- Igreja Santa Rita
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