Buzios - an Unforgettable Destination
Located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Armação dos Búzios is one of the most charming resorts in Brazil. The city combines incredible landscapes and gorgeous beaches with impressive history and culture. Tourists can’t help but fall in love with all that diversity. Armação dos Búzios, or just Búzios, as it is popularly called, is home to several different communities whose cultural heritage makes up the city’s identity. We are talking about indigenous communities, quilombolas (descendents from Afro-Brazilian fugitive slaves), as well as Portuguese, French, and Argentine immigrants. The strong presence of foreign immigrants makes Búzios a true cultural melting pot that combines languages, religions, and artistic expressions from different parts of the world.
Photo: Buzios, Brazil
A stroll along Orla Bardot (Bardot Waterfront), named after the French actress Brigitte Bardot, who visited the city in the 1960s, gives tourists a glimpse of the local culture with all the local shops, inns, bars, and restaurants. The waterfront promenade connects Rua das Pedras (Pedras Street) to Cais dos Pescadores (Fisherman’s Wharf), located on Armação Beach. Tourists will find a bronze sculpture of the actress on the promenade, one of the most popular local attractions and a mandatory stop for everyone who goes to Búzios.
As far as art goes, Búzios is home to the “Three Fishermen sculpture” by artist Christina Motta. The piece portrays local fishermen pulling a fishing net and has already been voted the most beautiful in the world by website ArtsInterface.org.
Art fans and culture lovers must make the time to visit Zanine Cultural Center (Espaço Cultural Zanine), an important venue for local art. The building stands out for its huge wooden pillars surrounded by glass, in harmony with the urban and natural landscape of the city. The venue hosts exhibits with different themes as well as shows by local and international artists, workshops, competitions, and awards shows.
If you feel your travel itinerary is not complete without spending a couple of hours buying souvenirs, then the right place for you is Santos Dumont Square. When you get there, you will find Búzios Handicrafts Market, which attracts lots of visitors on weekends during the summer. The market is a great place for visitors to discover a thing or two about local culture and history. There are many different kinds of pieces made from varied materials, such as leather, clay, and ceramics, as well as artistic pieces in wood and bronze, such as miniatures of the charming small boats in the local docks. The market is definitely worth a visit!
Photo: Buzios, Armação dos Búzios - RJ, Brasil
Religious Tourism
Tourists who enjoy historic churches will find good options in the city. Sant’Anna Church, located on Ossos beach, is certainly worth a visit. Built in 1740, the church is a sight for sore eyes, especially on days with sunny blue skies. With simple architecture and an intimate atmosphere, it is the ideal place to learn more about the history of Búzios. From the local viewpoint, it is possible to marvel at the sea and all the colorful boats.
Two other churches that are also worth your attention are Saint Rita of Cascia Church and the Chapel of Our Lady Undoer of Knots. Both churches are frequently visited by residents and tourists seeking to express their faith. On this note, your religious tourism itinerary is complete!
By acknowledging and respecting its origins, Buzios completely involves visitors in its cultural scene and history. It’s simply impossible to visit the city and not fall in love with it!