"Gold, sea, architecture and life" a Parati Travel Page by Mazely

Paraty (the official way of writting it, different from the "Parati" form) was founded by Portuguese masons from Obidos - so I found somewhere. It became a very important port during the Gold Cycle (XVIII Century), because the gold taken from Minas Gerais, after being carried by mules and slaves by the "Caminho do Ouro", arrived in Paraty, from where Portugueses (and English) took it to Europe.
The city has a new part and the Historical Center, that claims to be recognized as cultural heritage by Unesco. In this historical center, cars cannot pass, the pavement is still the one built by the slaves. The neoclassical churches are 4: the biggest is Matriz Church, the most famous, close to the pier, is Santa Rita Church, now a museum.

Many buildings at Historical Center have mason (so they say) decoration on the columns. Some say that these paintings were used as a sign, to masons from abroad that reached the port, that the owner of the house was a mason and would help them.
Paraty is famous for its beaches. Downtown beaches are dirty, but there are many beaches around the city, very beautiful, that can be reached by car or - better option - by cruises, that you can arrange everyday, at the pier. These cruises cost only R$ 20 per person, and I can asure this is a ridiculous price considering all you can enjoy.
Lately Paraty people chose a gay major (yes, it's not only Berlin!). The city now has the fame of being "gay-friendly", even thou I consider it friendly to everybody (well, it's friendly also for me and my wife...). This controverted major deserves the aknowledgment for what he's doing for Paraty's tourism. The city is full of restaurants, nice hostels, events during all year (cachaca - sugarcane spyrit - festival, instrumental music festival, cine festival, literary festival, gastronomic festival,... wow! And I'm not considering the religious events and Carnival. There are many things to do, whatever season of the year you choose.

A recent french guide bets that Paraty will become a "new Saint-Tropez". Many brazilian artists, Tom Cruise, Marcelo Mastroiani and Eric Hobsbawn are among the foreigners that have enjoyed Paraty's atmosphere.
The city has many seafood restaurants - "Guia 4Rodas" and me, we suggest Restaurante da Matriz, with a magnificent placement, in front of Matriz square, and delicious food - try the 'camarao casadinho' (two big shrimps tied and fried with manioc flour, simply a dream!), or shrimp "spanish style" (grilled with garlic, mashed with rice). There are many food options, including the thai restaurant of the foto.
Another Paraty must is the Teatro de Bonecos (Puppet Theater): without words, only manipulating the puppets, these artists "tell" seven different stories (sketches); a true show of sensibility and tecnique.

A SMALL VIDEO I'VE DONE WITH SCENES FROM A WINTER (NOT CROWDED!) MORNING IN PARATY, FEATURING A MIDI SONG I WROTE.
THERE YOU CAN SEE THREE CHURCHES: MATRIZ, CAPELINHA AND SANTA RITA; THE HOUSE OF THE PRINCE JOAO, SOME BIRDS TYPICAL FROM MANGUE VEGETATION AND THE BAY LANDSCAPE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2Ca5ETOkpM