The former Estrada de Santos is an open-air museum

The path taken by Dom Pedro I to proclaim the Independence of Brazil is an open-air historical collection. Nine monuments are being recovered on the old Estrada de Santos, among them a famous house that many people think was the emperor’s residence.

The beautiful curves of the road, from 1841, hide some important treasures of our history. It was along these paths that Dom Pedro I traveled many times from the coast to São Paulo.

One of the historic points on the road is a large house that many think was inhabited by Dom Pedro I, as the architect Gustavo Secco explains.

“This house was built in 1922, therefore, 100 years after Independence. When Dom Pedro passed through here, neither the highway nor the monuments existed. It was made within the context of the Caminho do Mar Highway as a support point for travelers”, says the architect.

The place is known as Pouso Paranapiacaba, which, in Tupi, means “place where you can see the sea”. The view, in fact, is privileged.

Near the mansion are the ruins of the accommodation where the workers who built the property used to stay.

Over time, the “Estrada Velha de Santos”, as the Caminho do Mar highway is known, closed to the passage of vehicles. During this period, the monuments along the road were abandoned and the action of vandals put the history of Brazil at risk. So, it was necessary to act and restore the space to give it a new life.

“In addition to telling the story and showing the public the relevance of the path, the sea paths and nature conservation, it also brings some truths and myths, some fun activities for families and children, such as treasure hunting in nature and artistic presentations, says the architect and restorer Marcelo Sarasá.

The conservation work is slow and detailed – including imported materials to preserve the original stones. One of the professionals involved in the work used to go to Estrada de Santos as a child and, now, helps in the mission of keeping the history of Brazil alive.