Guia Cultural da Costa Verde

Paraty • Paraty

DOM JOÃO HENRIQUE DE ORLEANS E BRAGANÇA

A republican prince

• 
• 
• 

He is the great-great grandson of emperor Dom Pedro II and great grandson of the Princess Isabel, but this high-ranking genealogy is merely a first introduction. Seemingly a contradiction, he describes himself as a republican prince: “I am a republican as in the European monarchies, which uphold ideas such as a free press, parliament and democracy.

In the words of acknowledged writer Laurentino Gomes, Dom Joãzinho – as he is sympathetically known – is an “… open-minded intellectual, photographer and environmentalist…”. A lover of photography who embarked on great adventures, such as his travels to the Xingu region where he recorded aspects of Brazil in strong and subtle images. Other travels followed resulting in the publication of over ten books and a number of exhibitions in important cultural venues, such as Instituto Moreira Salles in São Paulo and the Pierre Cardin facilities in Paris

Dom Joãozinho was a hotel owner with his Pousada do Príncipe, currently leased yet which still bears his touch in the decoration, with an ever present reference to the royal family, such as old photos, coats-of-arms, flags, correspondence and documentation. He has also produced cachaça, but nowadays and in addition to photography, he is kept busy by his real estate business in Paraty’s historical town center.

Visitors are likely to run into this affable and receptive royal personality through the town’s streets, and be privileged to exchange conversation with him, who is above all a person of simple habits and with many stories to tell.

Information