Porto da Estrela, Colonial port in Magé, Brazil
Porto da Estrela is a former trading port where the Inhomirim and Estrela rivers meet in Rio de Janeiro's metropolitan area. The site preserves ruins of old warehouses that once stored coffee and goods destined for export.
The port developed as an export center during gold mining in Minas Gerais and became the main gateway for transporting gold and other products. It appeared on regional maps by the late 1700s and remained active through the 1800s.
The port served as a meeting point between inland mining regions and coastal trade, shaping how goods and people moved through Rio de Janeiro's hinterland. Local communities built their livelihoods around the river traffic and the work of loading and unloading ships.
The site is accessible through the Royal Road, the historic route that once connected inland regions with the coast. Wear sturdy shoes as the ground can be uneven and wet near the riverbanks.
The name refers to a star that marked the location on old navigation charts, showing how important it was as a reference point for river pilots. This detail reveals how mapmakers and sailors understood the port's role in guiding trade routes.
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