Faith, devotion and pilgrimage
One of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Brazil, Aparecida is home to the National Shrine, built in 1915, the world’s second largest basilica and the world’s largest shrine dedicated to Our Lady.
The city’s early history dates back to a miracle occurred 1717, a time of fish shortage in the Paraíba do Sul River. Three fishermen cast their net in the river and found a statue of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and, from then on, fishes came back in abundance.
Aparecida is known as the “Mary’s Capital of Faith” and receives more than 11 million visitors yearly, which makes it the largest religious pilgrimage destination in Latin America.
Main attractions
National Shrine, Basilica, Porto Itaguaçu, Morro do Cruzeiro, Passarela da Fé, São Benedito Church, Seminário Bom Jesus, Mirante da Santa (belvedere), Barge Rides, Cable Car, Rendentorista and the Padre Vitor Coelho Memorial, Mirante das Pedras (belvedere), Aquarium, São Geraldo Church, José Luiz Pasin Museum, Pilgrim’s Assistance Center, Street Fair, Nativity Scene.
Main events
Folia de Reis (December/January), Corpus Christi Holiday (May/June), Saint Benedict Feast (one week after Easter), Our Lady of Aparecida Feast (October).
Services
City Hall: www.aparecida.sp.gov.br
Tourist Office: (55 + 12) 3105-1806
Pilgrims’ Assistance Center: (55 + 12) 3104-1000
Bus Station: (55 + 12) 3105-2285
National Shrine: (55 + 12) 3104-1000
Getting there
Aparecida is 188 km from São Paulo.
Car: Ayrton Senna – Carvalho Pinto System (SP-070) until Quiririm, then take Via Dutra (BR-116).
Bus:
Viação Cometa - www.viacaocometa.com.br - Phone: (55 + 11) 4004-9600
Pássaro Marron - www.passaromarron.com.br - Phone: 0800-2853047
Buses depart from Terminal Rodoviário Tietê (São Paulo - SP).
Hotels and Restaurants
Accommodation
Hotel Catedral - Av. Getúlio Vargas, 901 – Santa Rita - (55 + 12) 3105-1051 - hotelcatedral@hotelcatedral.com.br - www.hotelcatedral.com.br
Santo Graal - Av. Getúlio Vargas, 511 – Santa Rita - (55 + 12) 3104-0404 - atendimento@hotelsantograal.com.br - www.hotelsantograal.com.br
Hotel Marge - R. Monte Carmelo, 21 – Centro - (55 + 12) 3108-1194 contato@margehotel.com.br - www.margehotel.com.br
Hotel Chalé São Jorge - Av. Solon Pereira, 383 – Jardim Paraiba - (55 + 12) 3105-2304 - chalesaojorge@uol.com.br
Santuário Palace Hotel - Av. Getúlio Vargas, 501 – Santa Rita - (55 + 12) 3105-3151 - contato@santuariopalacehotel.com.br - www.santuariopalacehotel.com.br
Pousada Jovimar - Rua Itajubá, 20 – Itaguaçu - (55 + 12) 3105-1561 - www.pousadajovimar.com.br
Hotel Santos - Rua Oliveira Braga, 347 – Centro - (55 + 12) 3105-1553 - hotel-santos@uol.com.br
Hotel Rainha do Brasil - Rua Isaac Ferreira da Encarnação, 501 – Jardim Paraíba - (55 + 12) 3104-1010 - reservas@santuarionacional.com.br
Web Hotel - Rua Isaac Ferreira da Encarnação, 523 – Jardim Paraíba - (55 + 12) 3104-3030 - www.webhotel.com.br
Pousada Bom Jesus - Rua Barão do Rio Branco, 412 – Centro - (55 + 12) 3104-2657 - contato@pousadadobomjesus.com - www.pousadadobomjesus.com
Dining
Carol Restaurante - Pilgrim’s Assistance Center – Food Court – Stalls 11/12/13 – Santa Rita - (55 + 12) 3104-1193 - carolrestaurante@bol.com.br
Restaurante Maria Maria - Pilgrim’s Assistance Center – Food Court – Santa Rita - (55 + 12) 3104-1160
Restaurante Imperador - Pilgrim’s Assistance Center – Food Court – Stall 31 – Asa Sul – Santa Rita - (55 + 12) 3104-1158 - imperadorgrill@uol.com.br
Cav’s - Av. Padroeira do Brasil, 25 – Jardim São Paulo - (55 + 12) 3105-3152 - restaurantecavs@terra.com.br
Ouro Fino - R. Monte Carmelo, 292 – Centro - (55 + 12) 3105-1234
Elianas Restaurante e Doceria - Praça Lucia Marcondes Penido, 26 – Jardim Paraíba - (55 + 12) 3105-3005 - elianasrestaurante@terra.com.br
