Cunha, Municipality in Vale do Paraíba region, Brazil
Cunha is a mountain municipality in the Vale do Paraíba region between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The landscape consists of forested hillsides and small valleys with scattered communities and rural settlement patterns.
The area was settled in the 18th century when trade routes for gold transport developed between Minas Gerais and Paraty's port. This connection shaped the early development of the mountain region.
Cunha has become known for its ceramic workshops, where potters work with clay using traditional methods passed down through generations. You can visit these studios and watch artisans create their pieces.
Access is via connecting roads between the main highway and Paraty, with the mountain terrain making travel slower than in flat areas. Basic accommodation and dining options are available in town and surrounding villages.
From elevated viewpoints in the area, it is sometimes possible to see the coastline spanning from Ubatuba to Angra dos Reis on clear days. This long-distance view is possible due to the elevation and open mountain vistas.
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