Paranapiacaba, Railway district in Santo André, Brazil
Paranapiacaba is a railway district in Santo André, São Paulo state, built on the mountain slopes of the Serra do Mar. The settlement consists of Victorian-style timber buildings arranged along narrow paths and surrounded by misty forests.
The São Paulo Railway Company founded the settlement in the 1860s to operate the rail line between the port of Santos and the state's highlands. The site developed as an important hub for coffee transportation until the railway largely ceased operations in the 1980s.
The timber houses and clock tower date back to the railway construction era and show how workers and engineers lived here more than a century ago. Many of these buildings remain occupied, and the street names recall English towns, giving the settlement an unusual appearance.
The district lies about 60 kilometers southeast of São Paulo city and is reachable by road through hilly terrain. Visitors should bring warm clothing and rain protection, as fog often rolls in and temperatures are cooler than in the lowlands.
The original funicular railway from the 19th century is partly preserved and occasionally used for special rides. Some of the old steam locomotives stand along the tracks and can be viewed up close, offering insight into the engineering of that era.
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