Ilha Grande
The island of Ilya Grandi is the territory of the national park, and the name of the island is translated as "Great Island". Its area is covered with rainforests, and there are many incredibly clean beaches around. In 2019, the island was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
History
The island was discovered by the Portuguese on January 6, 1502. It was inhabited by the Indians of Tamoyo, the island they called "Ippaun Wasu", which in translation from their language meant "Big Island". In total, no more than 200 people lived here, they were engaged in fishing, underwater hunting, gathering and their language was completely different from the language of the Indians from the mainland. In subsequent years, the Portuguese war followed in alliance with the tribes of the peoples of the impasse against the French in alliance with the Tamoyo tribe. The war ended only in 1567 and the Portuguese was appointed manager for the island of Ilya Grandi. After a long war between pirates for owning spicy in the 18th century, coffee, bananas and reeds began to grow actively on the island, and slaves from Africa worked on plantations. In 1903, the Candido Mendes Prison was built on the island of Ilya Grandi, but the local economy suffered because of it, and constantly fleeing criminals caused a lot of problems to the inhabitants of the island. Therefore, in 1994 the prison was demolished.
Tourism
After the prison closed, the economy of Ilya Grandi Island received a great impetus and soon there were many tourists who were fond of diving, surfing and mountain climbing. There are also many lovers of cycling and walking. It is worth noting that cars and motor vehicles are prohibited on the island, so you will have to enjoy the beauties of the island on foot, by bicycle and boat. Around the island, approximately 150 km of trails are laid for movement between attractions. And there’s something to see here! The beach of Lopez Mendes is considered the best on the Brazilian coast, the beaches of Aventureiro, Feitiseira and Aracatiba are not behind it, in total on the island of Ilya Grandi more than 20 beaches with crystal clear water surrounded by forests.
The capital of the island is the village of Vila do Abrau, whose population is about 3,000 people. Having visited this village, you can participate in many colorful music festivals, which are held regardless of the time of year. An architectural attraction here is a white lighthouse called Castelhanos, which is completely surrounded by dense thickets.
It will also be interesting for tourists to visit the village of Dios Rios, where there are many historical places and the most magnificent beach, and the cleanest air and nature make your stay even more enjoyable. It is here that the once-existing notorious prison is located, in the building of which excursions are now being conducted. When leaving Dios Rios, you can see a pool of natural origin, consisting of several small waterfalls.
An equally popular type of entertainment on the island of Ilya Grandi is climbing Mount Piku do Papagayo, 1031 meters high, which is the highest point of the island. To climb this mountain, you need at least two hours. The road to the top runs through a rainforest, allowing you to completely merge with nature. In shape, this mountain resembles the appearance of a parrot beak and, once on its top, a fantastic view of the surroundings opens before people.
On the island of Ilya Grandi there are many modern places for entertainment, including restaurants, bars, cafes, shops, hotels, beaches and much more, which will allow travelers to get maximum pleasure from staying on the island and getting acquainted with the traditions of the local population.
