Paraty and Ilha Grande recognized as UNESCO World Heritage site

Paraty and Ilha Grande have gained international recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site, distinguished as the first mixed site in Latin America. This designation highlights the region's ability to integrate exuberant biodiversity with significant human and cultural interaction.

The territory, covering approximately 150,000 hectares along the Costa Verde in Rio de Janeiro, preserves 85% of the Atlantic Forest. This environmental protection is maintained through the sustainable practices of traditional communities, including indigenous peoples, quilombolas, fishermen, and artisans.

Complementing this formal recognition, local cultural initiatives are working to preserve the intangible heritage of the region. The Sesc Paraty sociocultural pole, in collaboration with the JAMAC collective, has launched projects to document oral traditions and supernatural narratives, known locally as ‘malassombras’. These stories of mysteries and unexplained events serve as a vital dimension of the area's collective memory and cultural identity.