Belém is the gateway to the Amazon, a huge, busy port located on the southern estuary arm of the Amazon River. A lot of colonial buildings have been preserved here, and the city is also a good base for exploring the Amazon Delta.
The city was founded in the early 17th century, but due to its remoteness from other centers on the Brazilian coast, it meant little for more than 200 years. Rapid development began in the nineteenth century with the intensification of trade with the areas located in the Amazon mountain. A huge port was created, through which transports of exotic wood, rubber and many other raw materials obtained in the Amazon jungle passed. To this day, Belém is known as the Gate of the Amazon and is the main hub for the upstream movement of ships.
The heart of Belém is the bustling downtown area near the port. It is here that many buildings from the colonial period are concentrated, including the Metropolitan Cathedral, Casa das Onze Janelas and the buildings at the Clock Square. A big attraction in this part of Belém is the bustling Ver-o-Paso Market, where you can buy local products. The Belém tour also includes the Fort Presepio and interesting museums, the State Para Museum and the Sacred Art Museum.
Right next to it is the Portal da Amazonia, a port at the mouth of the Amazon River, which can be entered by sea-going ships. The attraction of this part of Belem are the historic docks, Estação das Docas, where the Belem Port Museum is located.
There are also many places of natural interest in Belem. The most important is the zoo, Mangal das Garças Zoobotanical Park. On its premises, you can visit the Butterfly House and enter the viewing terrace of the Belem Lighthouse. On the outskirts of the city you will find the Utinga Camillo Vianna Park on the lake, and Bosque Rodrigues Alves is a nice place to rest.
