Guia Cultural da Costa Verde

Paraty • Paraty

MUSEU FORTE DEFENSOR PERPÉTUO DE PARATY

History, folklore and natural attractions all in one spot

Divulgação: IBRAM - Instituto Brasileiro de Museus

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The museum is inside the Fortress in the town’s upper district and provides an uncommon panorama of Paraty and its beautiful bay. To get there, a gentle uphill walk that even children and senior citizens are able to manage with no great problems. Along parts of the way and at intervals through the woods, you will be rewarded with authentic postcard views. This walk should not be missed by visitors to the town! This is the only remaining fortress in Paraty among the seven fortifications that once defended the town, and was strategically built atop the hill known as Morro da Vila Velha (formerly Villa de São Roque). The original construction dates back to 1703 and was named Ponta da Defesa. With the decline of the Ciclo do Ouro, or the gold trade, the fortress gradually lost its importance and fell into neglect. It remained in ruins over an extended period until its reconstruction in 1822, when it was given its current name in honor of Emperor Dom Pedro I, who carried the title of “Perpetual Defender of Brazil.” Its inside remains genuine and the outer area still includes the gunpowder house and the parade grounds, in addition to vestiges of the original paving. The Fortress was preserved as a national heritage in 1957 by the SPHAN – Serviço do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional (the national historical and artistic heritage agency), and restored several years later. In 1989, it had already been named a museum and was selected to house the Centro de Artes e Tradições Populares (folk arts and traditions center), and hold exhibitions of the local caiçara (fishing community inhabitants) culture. The museum is currently under the responsibility of Instituto Brasileiro de Museus – IBRAM. Its exhibits consist of genuine items such as cannon of the “12-shot standard” type produced in Great Britain, with a 2000-meter range, which shot cannonballs of roughly six kilos. These imposing cannon may be viewed in the garden in front of the museum. Caiçara and other utensils also form part of the collection, such as large iron pots, an oxcart, pillories, candomblé drums and other items, as part of the permanent exhibition in the main hall. There is an annex in which exhibitions are held, always with local culture as their theme. During our visit we admired an attractive caiçara canoe and a collection of photographs of the traditional Festa do Divino – a feast held in early June combining religion and folklore. The proposal of constantly displaying innovations includes presentations, debates and film projections. Visiting the museum costs a symbolic two reais. Free entry is granted to senior citizens, public school teachers and students, and on Tuesdays visits are free of charge for everybody. In the case of school groups, simply book in advance for a guided tour. This attraction will please nature lovers, who can visit the Fortress simply to enjoy the lush vegetation and the view of the town and the bay of Paraty, as well as those who wish to know a little more of the history of Brazil and the local culture.

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