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This month, the Ministry of Tourism included 11 municipalities in the Brazilian Tourism Map, with a strong focus on preserving architectural heritage. This new mapping groups together breathtaking destinations that feature collections cataloged by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The publication guides local administrators in designing cultural itineraries and securing financial resources to keep these historical treasures pristine.
Ouro Preto, in the state of Minas Gerais, is featured in the document for housing the awe-inspiring masterpieces of the colonial sculptor Aleijadinho, proudly holding its World Heritage title since 1980. In the Northeast region, the historic center of São Luís, Maranhão, boasts one of the largest collections of traditional Portuguese tiles in Latin America. The federal catalog also highlights Olinda, Pernambuco, recognized as a heritage site in 1982 and beautifully structured around 16th and 17th-century churches.
Mapped Destinations in the North and Southeast Regions
The Amazon region is celebrated in the survey through its magnificent structures financed by the wealth of the rubber boom. In Manaus, the iconic Amazon Theatre has been operating since 1896 as the state’s main urban attraction. Meanwhile, in Pará, the historic commerce of Belém is centered at the Ver-o-Peso Market, a bustling supply complex that boasts an impressive 398 years of continuous operation.
The selection carefully crafted by the Ministry of Tourism covers distinct phases of the country’s urban and economic evolution. To monitor the flow of visitors in these protected cultural havens, the federal government has classified the following hubs of historical memory:
- Salvador, Bahia, celebrated for the rich architectural records from its time as the country’s very first capital.
- Rio de Janeiro, the vibrant coastal city that continuously hosted the federal administration for 200 years.
- Paraty, a beautifully preserved heritage town in the state of Rio de Janeiro that hosts the renowned annual International Literary Festival (FLIP).
The Ministry of Tourism is also partnering with airlines through the Meet Brazil Flying (Conheça o Brasil Voando) program. This initiative formalizes agreements to expand the availability of direct flight routes to these cataloged locations. The federal agency’s primary goal is to decentralize passenger traffic, making it easier for international travelers to explore these cultural gems, while generating vital municipal revenue for the ongoing maintenance of historic public squares and colonial mansions.