Also known as SP-312, the century-old Estrada dos Romeiros was one of the first paved highways in the country and today, in addition to bordering the Tietê River and sheltering stretches of Atlantic Forest with abundant fauna and flora, it is also used as a religious route, uniting faith and nature along the same path.
Full of winding curves and gentle slopes, the road is a favorite of motorcyclists and cyclists, attracting tourists along the approximately 63-kilometer route with natural landscapes that connects the cities of Barueri, Santana de Parnaíba, Pirapora do Bom Jesus, Cabreúva, and Itu.
The walk of faith
The name is no mere coincidence; the Estrada dos Romeiros was named after the tradition of pilgrimages. Pilgrims used the route to pay penance and fulfill promises or simply to give thanks for blessings, especially on religious dates such as October 12 ( Our Lady of Aparecida Day). The tradition remains alive to this day and the road is still used for pilgrimage, with the faithful walking the route towards Pirapora de Bom Jesus, considered the “City of Living Faith.”
Mandatory stops along the Pilgrims’ Road
Santana do Parnaíba
A listed historical heritage site, Santana do Parnaíba has a historic center with around 200 colonial-era mansions, built of rammed earth and preserved to this day. Also in the center, you can visit the Santa Ana Mother Church, one of the symbols of the city and a destination for religious tourism. It is also worth visiting the Monsenhor Paulo Florêncio House of Culture, a mansion with various exhibitions on local history and culture, as well as home to the Casa do Samba Parnaibano.
Pirapora do Bom Jesus
The final destination of the religious pilgrimage, Pirapora do Bom Jesus is full of faith and historic buildings. Right at the entrance, the Portal dos Romeiros has a space for contemplating the city with a view of the Mother Church and the Tietê River, and bronze sculptures of Senhor Bom Jesus and Nossa Senhora Aparecida, made by artist Murilo Sá Toledo. It is worth checking out and experiencing a moment of spirituality and reflection.
Cabreúva
The Reserva Cabreúva ecological park is a good option for the more adventurous. With free admission, the park has trails with options for easy walks for all age groups, as well as plenty of contact with nature through bird nurseries and paddle boats on the lake. Parking is also free and the place is pet-friendly, perfect for a family outing.
Itu
Known for its exaggeratedly large monuments, Itu is the final stop on this trip. In addition to the famous Praça dos Exageros (Exaggeration Square) with giant objects that will make you laugh and take funny photos, the city also has rural attractions such as the Chocolate Farm.
As its name suggests, in addition to a small farm with various animals that you can feed, the site also houses an artisanal chocolate factory where you can sample the products. Admission and parking are free, and the park also offers leisure areas, train rides, and even a visit to a mini indigenous village. There is no shortage of things to do in Itu!