Attractions and Places To See in Valença - Top 16

The Santa Clara Farm, for example, was once the second largest in Brazil in terms of the number of slaves, with a total of around 2,400, with the most rebellious being punished in a dungeon located beneath the house. Today, however, the place is open to the public and serves as a museum, with 6,000 m² of built area. The number of windows (365), rooms (52) and halls (12) is a reflection of the number of days, weeks and months in the calendar.

Religion is a strong characteristic of the population of Santa Rita. Located in one of the city's central points, the main church of the Santa Rita de Jacutinga Parish is a beautiful building that stands out from the surrounding landscape as an imposing symbol of the faith of its people. The site where the main church stands today was donated by Antônio Francisco de Mendonça and his wife Maria Vitória Ribeiro around 1832, when a chapel was built in honor of Santa Rita de Cássia. Over time, the chapel became too small to accommodate the faithful who came to thank or ask for favors from the saint. With the need to expand the small temple, the founding families of the town donated land to the parish so that it could receive a main chapel worthy of its patron saint. In 1835, the Gomes and Caetano families obtained authorization to build the main chapel. At the same time, Commander Francisco Teresiano Fortes (founder of the Santa Clara Farm), who had promised to build a church in the region, brought a large number of bricklayers, carpenters and construction materials to the site, but there was no consensus regarding the location of the main chapel. The Commander wanted the chapel to be built facing north, where the local cemetery was already located, offering compensation for the services that had been performed, but his wish was not granted. In view of this, he left with his assistants (most of whom were his slaves) for Rio Preto, where he built the main church, whose patron saint is Nosso Senhor dos Passos. By the 1950s, the chapel could no longer accommodate the population of Santa Catarina and the large number of faithful who visited it frequently. Soon, Father Francisco José Machado Filho (Father Machado) and his parishioners promoted the construction of the current church. On July 2, 1951, the demolition of the old building began to make way for the new construction. In proportion to the grandeur of the construction, it did not take long for the city to have its long-awaited main church; on July 17, 1956, the new main church was inaugurated. The interior of the church is breathtaking for its beauty and grandeur. Inspired by the Metropolitan Cathedral of Juiz de Fora, the church has imposing architectural lines and also has beautiful frescoes inside, which enchant with their colors and shapes made directly on the wall over the plaster – the work of the Italian painter Victorio Goretti. The artist was a cousin of Saint Maria Goretti, the young martyr canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1950. Another highlight of the temple is the hydraulic tiles, forming various types of carpets. Its abundant and naturally lit interior is a great place to meditate, taking advantage of the calm and silent climate, recharging your batteries to enjoy many adventures in the City of Waterfalls. Source: NOGUEIRA. Laudelina Marinho, The City of Waterfalls: Santa Rita de Jacutinga and its history. 3rd ed. rev. and expanded. (Santa Rita de Jacutinga, private edition, 2005).

“Many say, and it is true: whoever drinks water from the tunnel (...) will never forget this blessed land. It is as if it were a link uniting the useful with the pleasant.”

Known to the locals simply as the tunnel, it is a must-see for anyone visiting Santa Rita de Jacutinga. The tunnel was built between 1916 and 1918 for the Central do Brasil Railway, which brought the municipality a connection with the then capital of the Republic, the city of Rio de Janeiro. After the closure of railway activities in the municipal headquarters, the tunnel became a place where residents and tourists enjoy cooling off with the cold water from its water springs. The tour through the tunnel is part of the City Tour offered by Guide Gil Cunha and also takes visitors to another important tourist spot, the old Pontilhão da Rede. Come by bike, on horseback, on foot or even by motorcycle or car, but don't forget to go through the tunnel and enjoy one of the best views of the city, with the Areal Waterfall opening the doors to the City of Waterfalls and a beautiful view of the Igreja Matriz in the background! Sources: Source: NOGUEIRA. Laudelina Marinho, The City of Waterfalls: Santa Rita de Jacutinga and its History. 2nd ed. rev. and expanded. (Santa Rita de Jacutinga, private edition, 1985).

JuImposing is the word that defines the Santa Clara Farm. Built between 1760 and 1780, it was the most important farm owned by Commander Francisco Tereziano Fortes. For a long time, the farm was used for the reproduction of slaves during the colonial period. The Bustamante Fortes family arrived in the region from São João Del Rey and settled on the banks of the Rio Preto, playing a prominent role in the history and development of the region. Captain Francisco Dionísio de Sousa Fortes Bustamante (Francisco Tereziano's father), a bureaucrat of the Portuguese crown, had a lot of influence and, as a result, obtained a large extension of land on the banks of the Rio Preto from the crown. While still alive, the Captain divided up his property and handed over the portions of land to the administration of his children and people he trusted. The building is in the colonial style, from the 18th century, and has impressive numbers. The property has 6,000 m² of built area.

The Santana Church Square in Barra do Piraí is an important historical and religious site in the region. The Santana Church, also known as the Sant'Anna Cathedral, was built in 1881 by the 3rd Baron of Rio Bonito, José Pereira de Faro.¹ The square is a peaceful and picturesque spot, with the church as its central point. The church itself is a notable example of 19th century religious architecture, with its white façade and pointed bell tower. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any specific information about the square itself, but it is likely a popular place for religious and community events. If you are visiting Barra do Piraí, the Santana Church Square is definitely one to add to your list of places to visit.

Irineu Mendonça Square, also known as Praça do Avião, is a public space located in Ipiabas, a district of Barra do Piraí, in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The square is a meeting point for locals and visitors, offering a pleasant space to relax and socialize. The square is named after Irineu Mendonça, an important figure in the region. The place is known for its tranquility and beauty, with trees, gardens and simple but charming architecture. Irineu Mendonça Square is an emblematic place in Ipiabas and a point of pride for the local community.