Magé: Churches, Cultural History and Nature

Magé can be explored through a wide variety of attractions: churches and heritage-listed sites sit alongside viewpoints, waterfalls and mangroves. If you’re looking for a hotel in Magé, these themes can help you decide what to focus on during your trip. The locations range from Suruí, Mauá and Raiz da Serra to central Magé, making it possible to distinguish the historic buildings not only by their subject matter but also by their respective locations.

Churches, Architecture and Historic Routes

The Igreja de São Nicolau in Suruí was rebuilt in 1710 and elevated to parish church status in 1755. Two different dates are central to the story of the Igreja do Senhor do Bonfim in Magé: it was built in 1883 and listed as a heritage site by INEPAC in 1989. The dates offer an insightful comparison: at São Nicolau, the rebuilding and parish status are part of its historical development; at Senhor do Bonfim, the construction year and later heritage listing stand side by side. In central Magé, the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Piedade features Baroque architecture and Rococo details in its interior. Here, Baroque describes the architectural style, while Rococo specifically refers to the variations found inside.

The Estação da Guia de Pacobaíba in Mauá, Magé, is also part of the history of protected buildings: IPHAN listed it in 1954. Unlike the churches, the focus here is a railway station. This station adds another type of historic site to the picture of Magé’s cultural history.

The Caminho do Ouro, also known as the Caminho dos Escravos, is a walking trail built around 1723 by enslaved people in the Serra do Estrela in Raiz da Serra, Magé. Its historical significance is closely connected to its name: the alternative name keeps the history of its enslaved builders in view, while Caminho do Ouro and the location details identify the trail more precisely.

Nature, from Viewpoints and Waterfalls to Mangroves

From Morro do Bonfim in Magé, you can see the Serra dos Órgãos and the entire Baía de Guanabara. Cachoeira Véu da Noiva in Rio do Ouro is a popular hiking destination, with several pools in the surrounding area. Morro do Bonfim puts the focus on two named landscapes, while at Véu da Noiva the emphasis is on hiking and the nearby pools.

If you’d like to explore natural attractions by their surroundings, you can also visit Cachoeira do Monjolo in Santo Aleixo: it lies in the buffer zone of Parque Nacional das Serra dos Órgãos. The districts of Magé, Suruí and Guia de Pacobaíba have three separate mangrove areas. Ecosystem conservation projects include ecotourism, environmental education and the restoration of degraded areas. Conservation and restoration are therefore also part of the mangrove story.

Parque Barão de Mauá has a waterfront promenade or beach boardwalk and a lookout tower more than eleven meters tall. Poço Bento in Piedade has also become a popular destination with a strong visitor turnout.

Practical Information for Santo Aleixo

For group trips to Santo Aleixo, the 2023/2024 municipal summer program required a permit, accreditation and an identification sticker on the buses, vans or minibuses used. If you’re planning such a trip, check the current municipal guidance; these requirements applied to the 2023/2024 summer program.

Discover more destinations: Santo Antônio do Imbé, Resende, Abadia, Maricá, Tamoios, Ipiabas, Sumidouro, Sapucaia

For the broader travel overview: Rio De Janeiro.