UNESCO sites in Brazil

The remote town of Ouro Preto was at the heart of the gold rush in Brazil in the 18 ^th century. While the exhaustion of the gold mines in the 19 ^th century eventually led to the city’s decline, many churches, bridges and fountains remain as a testimony to its past prosperity.

Founded in 1535, Olinda flourished with the sugarcane industry, shaping its rich architectural heritage. Rebuilt after Dutch attacks, its 18 ^th -century churches, convents and houses sit amid lush greenery overlooking the ocean, creating a striking blend of history and nature.

The Ruins of São Miguel das Missões is the Brazilian element of this transboundary property which is shared with Argentina and consists of the remains of the Jesuit Mission settlements established in the 17 ^th and 18 ^th centuries on lands of the Guarani indigenous communities.

As the first capital of Brazil, from 1549 to 1763, Salvador de Bahia was a melting pot of European, African and Amerindian cultures from the 16 ^th to the 18 ^th centuries. It was also the first slave market in the New World, with slaves arriving to work on the sugar plantations.

Brasilia, a capital created out of nothing in the centre of the country in 1956, was a landmark in the history of town planning. It was intended that every element – from the layout to the symmetry of its innovative buildings– should be in harmony with the city’s overall design.

With the oldest examples of rock art in the Americas, and the largest ensemble of archaeological sites, this property bears exceptional testimony to one of the oldest populations to inhabit South America. Some of the park’s paintings date back more than 25,000 years.

Founded by the French and occupied by the Dutch before eventually coming under Portuguese rule, not only has the town preserved its original street plan, but a large number of fine historic buildings have survived, making it an outstanding example of an Iberian colonial town.

This extensive property is comprised of 25 protected areas which host a diversity of marine and terrestrial wildlife in landscapes which range from vast cave systems and forested mountains to wetlands and sand dunes. It is a rich natural environment of great scenic beauty.

The Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea showcase Rio’s fusion of nature and culture. From Tijuca National Park’s peaks to Copacabana’s shores, the city’s scenery has shaped its history, art and music, and fostered an outdoor lifestyle celebrated worldwide.

Covering over 155,000 hectares, this natural property boasts vast white sand dunes and seasonal freshwater lagoons. The shifting dunes, shaped by the wind, create an ever-changing landscape. The park is home to diverse ecosystems, vibrant fishing villages and rare wildlife.