Morretes

Etymology

The name "Morretes" is a geographical reference to the morros (Portuguese for "hills") that surround the city.

Overview

Saint Benedict's Church (Igreja de São Benedito): There are a lot of attractions in Morretes. One of them is the Saint Benedict's Church. In 1760, the Brotherhood of Saint Benedict was founded in Morretes. Between 1865 and 1895 the chapel and the cemetery were built, with difficulty because the region was passing through a period of economic decadence. Its architecture is composed of the simplest edified scheme of the religious tradition: nave, bell-tower and main chapel. Inside the church are a lot of images of different times, including one of the patron saint, the "glorious St. Benedict".

Old Bridge (Ponte Velha): Another attraction is the Ponte Velha (old bridge), which is a beautiful engineering work that graces the charming city. Its structure of steel brings an old and glamorous aspect making it even more attractive. The bridge is used to pass over the Nhundiaquara river and gives access to restaurants like Madalozo. Pedestrians share the space with cars, considering that there is just one street band.

Touristic Train (Trem Turístico): Leaving from Curitiba, the train goes to Paranaguá's direction, passing through, and stopping, in Morretes. The train, which goes about 74 km between both Paraná's cities, is compound by 18 wagons divided in three classes: economic, touristic and executive.

Marumbi Peak (Pico do Marumbi): Located in Paraná’s sea mountain, the state park of Marumbi remains with natural wealth of the Brazilian Atlantic forest. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, it’s the perfect spot, because there are waterfalls baths, trails or even climbing.

Flower Street (Rua das Flores): Main street of Morretes, a boardwalk on the banks of the Nhundiaquara river with its historic mansions such as the house where D. Pedro II slept, Marco Zero, fountain, restaurants and the city's first telegraph.

Conservation units

The municipality contains:

• 8,745 hectares (21,610 acres) Pico do Marumbi State Park, created in 1990^[1]
• 1,190 hectares (2,900 acres) Graciosa State Park, created in 1990^[2]
• 6% of the 199,587 hectares (493,190 acres) Guaratuba Environmental Protection Area, created in 1992^[3]
• 61% of the 2,699 hectares (6,670 acres) Roberto Ribas Lange State Park, created in 1994^[4]
• 906 hectares (2,240 acres) Pau Oco State Park, created in 1994^[5]
• About 19% of the 49,287 hectares (121,790 acres) Guaricana National Park, created in 2014 to protect a mountainous area of Atlantic Forest^[6]