Culture of Ilha Grande. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

The island was discovered by Portuguese people in 1502. The islands current name Ilha Grande is translated from Portuguese as «Big Island». It’s interesting that the tribes of Tupi, who owned the island before the Europeans came here, called it Ipaum Guaçu, what is also translated as «Big Island». It’s quite easy to explain a small amount of 15-18th century monuments – originally Portuguese people considered it to be a waste of energy and money to populate the island. There were not many locals and the pirates who were interested in the new land didn’t manage to create anything.

Ilha Grande had been a real Brazilian Tortuga for few centuries. So, Dutch, French, and Portuguese pirate ships appeared in the local waters; they also often fought with each other and the other ships that protected the sea lanes from privateers. Today there are more than 30 sunken ships in the local water area; some of them lie in depth and even divers-beginners can get there. Most of the things which were found on the ships were sent to the continent, but it’s still highly interesting to take a look at the old sailing ships. Many travelers who come here, as well as the locals, believe that here you can find pirate treasure hidden by corsairs from authorities. People name different points where it might be kept. Still, no treasures of freebooters were found so far.

Some time later, planters came to the island. They grew bananas, coffee beans, batatas, and sugarcane. Mostly these were hired European farm workers who could work just for a little money and African slaves who worked on the plantations. You can come and take a look at some of the haciendas that have survived up to the present days. You can also see how lords and simple workers used to live and how the utility rooms looked like. Unfortunately, most plantations suffered from the attack of Argentines in the 19th century. There were three attempts to conquer the island, but the locals fought off. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The islanders had always protected their independence and they also were against a huge amount of immigrants who used to come to the island. The locals were suspicious about the visitors. They were afraid of epidemics (and it was reasonable). That’s why everyone who came from the Old or the New World had to spend at least five weeks in the infirmary’s quarantine zone. The deserted building is located in the forest near Angra dos Reis and can be visited for free. It was built in the 19th century and now it’s not guarded. The hospital is abounded for already several decades and now it’s just getting older. You can get some information about the building from the nameplate (but the text is written in Spanish). Nevertheless, it’s worth to take a look at the impressive and even frightening building – the first home for the immigrants.

There is a massive aqueduct in the forest just near the infirmary which was built in 1983. The construction is 30 meters high and 100 meters long. It was meant to provide the hospital with water supplies. The construction, which was built by slaves for more than 100 years ago, is still in a good condition. The Dois Rios village is just a must-see. Here you can see a glorious ancient Catholic church designed in a typical colonial interior and the local prison. The prison was built at the end of the 19th century; especially a lot of prisoners were kept there in the 30-40s of the 20th century. The prison is one of the reasons of a small, but growing development of tourism on Ilha Grande. In those days when the prison used to work, the access to the island was denied for travelers and immigrants.

Today it is nothing more than a local sight. For instance, the famous poet Graciliano Ramos, as well as many politicians who were against the Getúlio Vargas’ regime, was imprisoned there. Now there are different excursions around the prison and tourist can also buy some souvenirs after. You can also see with your own eyes how those people who inhabit Brazilian villages live now. You can do it in the unofficial capital of the island – the Vila do Abraão village. There are just about a hundred houses on the territory of the village. Little has changed here over the past century. In addition, travelers should also come and take a look at the snow-white Castelhanos Lighthouse.