If you’re looking for nature, history and peace and quiet without leaving Greater São Paulo, Chácara da Baronesa State Park is the ideal destination. Located in Santo André, the park preserves a almost hidden century-old mansion as well as trails and natural landscapes. All this less than an hour from the capital of São Paulo!
With free admission, the park has 340,000 square meters of Atlantic Forest in the heart of the ABC Paulista. The peaceful atmosphere and its attractions make it a must-see, offering a breath of fresh air in the midst of urban chaos.
Chácara da Baronesa State Park
It all began in the 1930s, when the Crespi family, one of the most influential in São Paulo’s textile industry, set up Haras São Bernardo on the land. After Rodolfo Crespi’s death, the property passed into the hands of the foreign Von Leithner couple, who changed the name of the place to Chácara da Baronesa.
During the 20th century, the current park had stables, horse tracks and other facilities for training the animals. The stud farm operated until 1975, when the pollution that was taking over the ABC affected the horses‘ performance and the owners decided to close down.
Initially, the land was to be used for a real estate development. But the company responsible ended up going bankrupt and, in 1987, the area became an Environmental Preservation Area. The mansion and the rest of the farm’s facilities were listed as historical heritage in 1990, and in the following decade, the site officially became the Chácara da Baronesa State Park.
Trails and contact with nature
Chácara da Baronesa State Park is ideal for practicing light trails and hikes ideal for disconnecting from the capital and enjoying the local nature. Along the way, visitors can contemplate the local flora and the animals that inhabit the region, especially various species of birds. It is also possible, of course, to see the ruins of the old stud farm.
The entrance is at Avenida José Fernando Medina, 08, in Jardim Las Vegas (Santo André), about 23 kilometers from the capital. The park is open every day from 8am to 6pm and admission is free. How about taking a day off to visit this natural paradise?