Vila Velha State Park, State park in Ponta Grossa, Brazil.
Vila Velha State Park is a protected area in Ponta Grossa in the Brazilian state of Paraná, with sandstone rocks that rise like towers and castles. The formations were shaped by erosion over millions of years and lie in a highland region with grassy plains and pine forests.
The park was created in 1966 by the Department of Historical and Artistic Heritage of Paraná to protect 18 km² of rock formations. The sandstone of the Itararé Group dates to the Carboniferous period, about 340 million years ago, when an inland sea drained and left sandy material cemented by iron oxide, giving the rock its reddish colour.
The name comes from Portuguese and means old town, as the rock formations resemble ruins of historic buildings. Visitors walk along paths that pass these stone towers and see how nature has created shapes similar to human architecture.
The grounds open Wednesday through Monday and remain closed on Tuesdays, with early hours often offering cooler weather and better light. Walking trails cover varied terrain with some slopes, so comfortable shoes and drinking water are recommended.
The grounds also include Lagoa Dourada, a shallow body of water where the water shimmers golden under certain light and reflects the surroundings. Some of the stone formations have names like Camel Rock and Bottle Stone because their outlines resemble familiar objects.
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