Historic Centre

A Historic Centre with an Abundance of Stories

The façades and roofs that adorn the historical buildings of the centre of Paraty town preserve the essence of a glorious past. It is the most harmonious architectural complex of colonial Brazil revealing houses and churches built centuries ago, with doors and windows that have withstood both time and the sea air. These are witness to the riches which departed from here to the rest of the world: sugar from nearby sugar-mills, gold and diamonds from the region of Minas Gerais, coffee from the Paraíba Valley, and even people, who abandoned the town when it was no longer the only possible route out…

Guided by the cardinal points and covered in stones so roughly cut that they are called “pés-de-moleque” (urchins´ feet), today the streets of the centre of Paraty revel in the poetry of the town’s literary festivals and in the tranquility of life, which accompanies the coming and going of marine tides.
It was in the mid XVIth century that the original settlement was established, which then one day would grow to become the town of Paraty. It became autonomous in 1667. Firm settlement regulations originated then and were established, which have given the town its unique features and in turn, have guaranteed its survival. Registered and protected by the Historical and Artistic National Heritage Institute (IPHAN), the centre of Paraty has let modernity pass it by without hindrance. Naturally Paraty is now a candidate to becoming a World Heritage Site.

The thick links of chain that prevent cars from entering the town, conjure up images of guardians to the town’s memories. History lives on and is lived out in each piece of art and craft for sale in the charming shops and markets, likewise in each fish which is cooked on the very day that it has been caught and also in each conversation, flowing with ease in the many possible native tongues of its visitors, as well in each sip of “cachaça” (sugar-cane rum brandy), an integral part of the local atmosphere.

Casa Turquesa is set within this magical scenery. Its restoration, under the responsibility of architect Renato Tavolaro who has specialized in the singular Paraty style since the 1970s, gave rise to necessary meticulous research into its original construction. The en-suite rooms have up-to-date comforts without loosing their original historical character.
“We adapted the originality of a historical construction to the present day requirements of a contemporary Guest House,” says Tavolaro, who also took care of the internal décor along with Tetê Etrusco, the proprietor.

“Even the color turquoise, which lends its name to the establishment, is subtly present in minor details.” It appears here and there, on window sills, sofas and Jacuzzi bath tubs, seeming to fuse with the blue of the sea and the green of the Atlantic Forest, into a happy and relaxing color tone.