The very heart of Paraty is something of a living museum, with the various buildings being known for their colonial charm and character, such as the Town Hall, the Jail House and the numerous churches. However, if you are looking for actual museums in Paraty, then a couple stand out in particular.
The Casa da Cultura (House of Culture) literally translates as 'House of Culture' and is to be found within an impressive colonial mansion dating from the middle of the 18th century. Housing an extensive permanent collection of local artefacts from Paraty and beyond, the Casa de Cultura first opened its doors to the general public in 2004 and continues to celebrate local Brazilian culture.
Also very much deserving a visit is the Casa de Artista e Centro de Artes e Tradiciones Populares (House of Artists and Arts Centre), where quality regional handicrafts are displayed and sold.
Casa da Cultura (House of Culture)
Address: Rua Dona Geralda 177, Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 024 3371 2325
Visitors to the Casa da Cultura will the able to enjoy a number of historic photographs, as well as video interviews with some interesting residents from the area and unusual carpets made with petals from flowers (used during the famous Corpus Christi festivities). Displays are well labelled in both Portuguese and English, while in the gallery upstairs, you can expect some stunning views of the townscape below.
Open: Wednesday to Monday - 10:00 to 18:30
Admission: charge
Casa de Artista e Centro de Artes e Tradiciones Populares (House of Artists and Arts Centre)
Address: Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, BR
The Casa de Artista e Centro de Artes e Tradiciones Populares functions as both a museum and gallery shop, and is packed with local handicrafts. This is a great place to pick up a quality souvenir of your time in Brazil, and you can choose between hand-woven baskets, carvings, ceramics, paintings and even implements related to fishing.
Open: Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge
