Paquetá was under the rule of Indians from the Tamoios tribe until the late fifteenth century. It was André Thevet, a French sailor, who first reported its discovery in December 1555. The island was then recognized by the king of France in 1556 and became a focus of resistance to the Portuguese expedition in Rio. Paquetá came to be under Portuguese control nearly a decade later, in 1565, when Estácio de Sá distributed the island’s land among his companions, Inácio de Bulhões and Fernão Valdez.
Divided into two allotments, the southern part, called Ponte, and the northern called Campo, Paquetá was established as an agricultural producer of whitewash and clay to the court in the colonial and imperial periods. This division causes rivalries between football leagues up until today. In the nineteenth century, Paquetá gained political relevance due to the constant presence of King John VI, followed by members of high society, including José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva, who withdrew from the Court in 1989 and went into exile on the island.
The touristic appeal of Paquetá has been promoted by the regular fleet of boats- which began in 1838- and by the publication of the novel A Moreninha, in 1844. In the twentieth century, the island, which was part of the Islands District (1903) became known as District of Paquetá (1961) until it was incorporated to the city of Rio de Janeiro (1975). Today, the island continues to attract visitors in search of a bucolic atmosphere and a lifestyle in which time seems to run more slowly.
The feast of São Roque is traditional on the island of Paquetá. Every year, on August 16, there are imposing celebrations. Previously, however, such celebrations were bigger, attracting people from all over, be it the capital or the towns and villages of the state of Rio de Janeiro. Numerous boats, sailboats and even small steamers would carry devotees and curious people for the great solemnity. People who came from Petrópolis, Niterói, Magé, Mauá, Rio de Janeiro, and even Teresópolis were excited with the traditional splendor of the celebrations. There were horseback riding, fados mourned by the guitar, auction prizes, stalls with sweets and fruit, It would always end up with fireworks, which dazzled not only the outsiders but also the inhabitants of the quiet island.
Even the king Dom Joao VI and his ministers often headed for Paquetá to cheer its patron. The sovereign was received at the manor house of Francisco Gonçalves da Fonseca, militia officer, situated in Rua dos Muros. When at the island, Dom João VI would be away from the court intrigues, until he had to come back, sorrowful, to his palace in Rio de Janeiro, after a few days of stay in the poetic corner of Guanabara.
Image credits: Augusto Malta, BN Digital
Designed by Pedro Bruno himself and inaugurated before his death, this square is the island's gateway for those arriving by boat and it is there that you can see part of the legacy of the artist, who designed landscaped and utilities works in public spaces of the island. Pedro Bruno also designed the concrete benches displaying fish figures, small pergolas vegetation and a cistern with water fountains for the use of the population. The artist's bust in bronze is the work of sculptor Paulo Mazzuchelli.
Image Credits: Thiago Diniz/Rolé Carioca
Located in Praia dos Tamoios, right next to the ferry station, this church was built in 1763 in order to be a local parish – detached from Freguesia de Magé. However, it was subordinated to the church N. Sra. da Piedade, in Magé until 1810, when it became officially known as Igreja Matriz da Freguesia de Paquetá. It is common for brides to arrive by carriage in weddings that take place in this bucolic little church.
Image Credits: Bia Sartorio/Rolé Carioca
This canon is a tribute to King John VI’s visits to the island. The visits became more frequent after a storm caused the Prince to dock in Paquetá accidentally, in 1808. Being a devotee of São Roque, The Prince had the habit of visiting the traditional saint's festival, which takes place in August. Whenever Dom João visited Paquetá, which he called the Island of Love, he was welcomed by the community with the hand kiss ritual and canon fires.
Image Credits: Dado DJ/Trilhos do Rio
This tree is a rare sample of a baobab. Of African origin, it is a species that often measures meters in circumference and is worshiped for its beautiful flower, also used for medicinal purposes. Its importance in the cultural landscape of the island led to its listing as patrimony, by a decree in 1967, along with nine other species of almond, jackfruit, mango and tamarind trees.
Image Credits: Thiago Diniz/Rolé Carioca
It celebrates the island’s patron and was originally built inside St. Roque’s Farm during the 17th century. The construction was widely modified through the times and it’s possible to observe multiple architectonic styles in it: neo-gothic, neo-classic, barroch. During the Armed Riot by the end of 19th century, the chapel was used as a morgue. The fact was right after the church’s last big reformation, a period when the altar received a large paint from artist Pedro Bruno, representing St. Roque and his dog in Paquetá.
Image Credits: Thiago Diniz/Rolé Carioca
This is where the character Moreninha, immortalized in the novel by Joaquim Manuel de Macedo, waited for the return of her boyfriend. The story, which reproduced an existing Indian legend about the couple Aotin and Ahy, called "Love Tears", made the island of Paquetá known throughout the country.
Image Credits: Thiago Diniz/Rolé Carioca
This is another one of the island’s folklorical points. According to the beliefs, João Saudade, a slaved negro, from Banguela, prayed day after day to find his family again in Africa. One night, João, the longing reincarnation, mysteriously disappeared and an intense light enlightened the dock where he used to go.
Image Credits: Thiago Diniz/Rolé Carioca
The Patriarch of Independence, José Bonifácio de Andrade e Silva, would have resided on this property from 1829 to 1831, before tutoring the children of D. Pedro I. The farm is now a private residence and its facade can be enjoyed from the street.
Image Credits: Thiago Diniz/Rolé Carioca
This park used to belong to the allotment of Fernão Valdez, being part of the original farm that existed there. Later on, the Jesuits used the kaolin from Morro de Santa Cruz to make porcelain and therefore dug numerous tunnels for its extraction, on the grounds of the park.The tunnels can still be seen nowadays in various parts of the hill. The site was sold to Mr. Darke Bhering de Mattos, owner of “Café Globo” and “Chocolates Bhering”, Aferwards, it was donated to the City Hall by the daughter of the owner. It now stands as a landscaped area and preserved nature with its ancient trees, gardens, trails and lookouts, sea and forests, stories and legends, being a sample of a romantic park.
Image Credits: Thiago Diniz/Role Carioca
According to reports from the French cosmographer, André Thevet, at the time of its discovery, the island that the Tamoio Indians called Paquetá was full of pacaranas (an animal of the family of the cavies). Hence derives the most accepted meaning for its name: a "place with many pacas (cavies)". Other interpretations suggest that the indigenous name means "many shells" or "area with many rocks" – which is one of the hallmarks of the neighborhood to this day.
“Drink from this water, Thinking of your paramore, And for you this person shall Immensely fall in love...And if you still miss a pair, Drink slowly, Only one sip, And one of this island’s
hearts you will have”
The legends tells that the waters from St. Roque’s well are assumed to have miraculous and seductive powers. It would be able to attract the subject of one’s affections and cure the ill and the wounded. Some say that D.João VI would have treated an ulcer on his leg with these waters and since this episode became a St. Roque’s devotee, regularly visiting the island and attending to the Patron Saint Party. Truth or not, the well is now closed by the Public Health since the beginning of the 20th century when canalized water systems arrived in Paquetá.
Paquetá's first record predates the founding of the city of Rio de Janeiro and was made by the French in 1555, during Villegagnon's expedition to Guanabara Bay, which gave birth to the Antarctic France colony. Recognized by the king of France on December 18, 1556, Paquetá would be under Portuguese control almost a decade later, in 1565, when Estácio de Sá divided his lands between Inácio de Bulhões and Fernão Valdez.
"Long-term luck / to those who kiss and respect me, / but seven years of delay / to each misery caused on me." – O Baobá (MDCXXVII)
The inscription above gave legendary airs to the rare centenary baobab, listed asset of Paquetá, which is located on Praia dos Tamoios. After reading the command, it is common to see people hugging and kissing the tree of African origin, which has been named “Maria Gorda” (Fat Mary) and which is "chunky" for sure: baobabs usually reach more than 20 meters in circumference.
Righ after Rio de Janeiro’s foundation by Estácio de Sá, Paquetá was included on the list of territories to be donated to those who fought by the portuguese military side and ended up being split in two allotments. There’s a sign on the corner of Vicente’s Hillside and Tamoio’s beach that points where the division used to be. The south portion, named Ponte, was given to Fernão Valdez and had a faster colonization due to the sailors abundance. The north share, named Campo, was under Inácio Bulhões control and became the St. Roque Farm. This division is maintained informally and is the reason for some rivalry in neighborhood football championships til this day.
Founded as the island’s cultural center in 1999, the art space promotes cultural events and art workshops. In addition, it receives groups of tourists and hosts exhibitions and a memory center. Engaged in the preservation and revitalization of the island, the space works for the appreciation and respect of cultural identity, history, architecture, , landscape and the unique way of life of the local community. The Arte & Gula Café, located in the gardens of the cultural center, has a shop with souvenirs and local crafts as well as a small menu of snacks and meals.
Address: 31, Praça de São Roque - Paquetá
Phone: (21) 3397-0517 / 3397-2124
Website: www.casadeartes.org
Image Credits: Lidia Oliveira
The well-kept restaurant of chef Regina Linhares receives, every 15 days, sessions of Cineclube Paquetá, with free admission. Be sure to try the Paquetá Beer, which, despite its name, is produced in Nova Friburgo.
Opening hours: Daily, from 11 A.M. to 11 P.M.
Address.: Rua Dr. Lacerda, 18
Phone: (21) 3397-0656
Website: https://www.facebook.com/oquintalpaqueta/
Crédito da Imagem: Facebook
This park used to belong to the allotment of Fernão Valdez, being part of the original farm that existed there. Later on, the Jesuits used the kaolin from Morro de Santa Cruz to make porcelain and therefore dug numerous tunnels for its extraction, on the grounds of the park.The tunnels can still be seen nowadays in various parts of the hill. The site was sold to Mr. Darke Bhering de Mattos, owner of “Café Globo” and “Chocolates Bhering”, Aferwards, it was donated to the City Hall by the daughter of the owner. It now stands as a landscaped area and preserved nature with its ancient trees, gardens, trails and lookouts, sea and forests, stories and legends, being a sample of a romantic park.
Address: Praia José Bonifácio, 255
Phone: (21) 3397-0535
Image Credits: www.cidadedorio.com
Located in Praça Bom Jesus do Monte, just opposite from the harbor of Praia dos Tamoios, it serves options of seafood, prepared for lunch or dinner.
Address: 12, Praça Bom Jesus - Paquetá
Phone: (21) 3397-0735 / 3397-0322 / 3397-2783
Website: www.facebook.com/ZecasRestaurante
Image Credits: Trip Advisor
