A Heritage title is something rather special. If you come to Brasil, it’s worth including at least one in your itinerary.
The title of World Heritage Site is something rather special. Of the 1031 world heritage sites, 19 are located in Brasil. We’ve selected some for you to include in your next trip.
1. Historic Town of Ouro Preto – Minas Gerais
Represents a masterpiece of the creative genius Antônio Francisco Lisboa, better known as Aleijadinho, one of the leading names of brazilian art. The city is practically an artistic intervention by the sculptor, featuring a unique charm that hosts copies of priceless Baroque architecture.
2. Historic Center of Olinda – Pernambuco
Promoted a considerable exchange of human values over a given period of Brasil. It has rare examples of religious buildings – churches and convents – from the 16th century.
3. Historic Center of Salvador – Bahia
It is somehow associated to events, live traditions or artistic works of exceptional significance to humanity. It’s a living center of the brazilian culture perfectly illustrating the junction of African and European elements.
4. Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos – Minas Gerais
Located in the city of Congonhas, it is considered the maximum representation of Baroque in Brasil. The 12 prophets at the entrance of the Basilica and the Via Crucis chapels [capelas dos Passos] – representing the Passion of Christ – unveil the excellence of Aleijadinho’s work.
5. Iguaçu National Park – Paraná
The falls are considered extraordinary natural phenomena of unusual natural and aesthetic importance, composed of 19 waterfalls that impress by the volume of water (average 1500 cubic meters per second). The Park also preserves a natural habitat for the conservation of biological diversity.
6. City of Brasilia – Federal District
It was the first modern city in the world to enter the UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites. Emphasis on human creativity with example of a type of futuristic architecture exemplifying a significant stage of the national history.
7. Historic Center of Diamantina – Minas Gerais
The historical 18th century buildings infuse the center of Diamantina with charm. There are beautiful churches, townhouses and sumptuous mansions that hark back to the colonial period, when life in that place revolved around the mining of precious stones.
9. Atlantic forest – South-East Reserves
The Atlantic forest is a representative example of ecological and biological processes that contribute to the development of marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
10. Jaú National Park – Amazonas
It is the largest continuous rainforest park in the world, with a biological diversity in a unique ecosystem.
11. Brazilian Atlantic Islands
The archipelago of Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas are the only points in the South Atlantic with several species of permanent and migratory birds. The natural pools reveal an exceptional diversity of fish. Fernando de Noronha is home to the largest concentration of spinner dolphins on the planet.
12. Conservation areas of the Cerrado [Brazilian Savannah] –Goiás
This site includes two national parks – the Chapada dos Veadeiros and the Emas. They shelter endemic animals and plants – which cannot be seen (or do not exist) in other places. It’s one of the world's oldest ecosystems.
13. Historic Center of the City of Goiás – Goiás
It’s a historical and architectural landmark. It became a symbol of the European construction method adapted to the brazilian climate and topography. By the way: this was the place of birth and residence of a famous brazilian poet named Cora Coralina.
14- City of Rio de Janeiro
It’s one of the cities that best represent the feeling of "brasilidade” [brazilianess] – a term adopted to explain the Brazilian spirit. It has unique culture, in addition to beaches and landscapes. The city has its own identity, a lot because of the cariocas, who can turn anything or any moment a much happier one.