RJ · Brazil
History of transportation and river landscapes in Comendador Levy Gasparian and Paraíba do Sul.
In the photo: Pedra de Paraibuna and Rio Paraibuna, Comendador Levy Gasparian, RJ
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
Caminhos Coloniais is a Fluminense tourist region marked by rivers and by the heritage of the old routes between the coast and Minas Gerais. Comendador Levy Gasparian and Paraíba do Sul are the towns in this guide selection. The visit brings the history of transport closer to the inland landscape.
In Mont Serrat, a district of Comendador Levy Gasparian, the Museu Rodoviário de Paraibuna occupies a former horse-exchange station of the Estrada União e Indústria. The Igreja Nossa Senhora de Mont Serrat and the Rio Paraibuna extend the outing. Rafting is a separate activity from the heritage visit and depends on river operations.
Paraíba do Sul brings together the old station, today linked to the Centro Cultural Maria de Lourdes Tavares, the Jardim Velho and the Palacete Ribeiro de Sá. Parque Salutaris adds the memory of the mineral waters. The two towns can make a short trip with one focused day for each group of sights.
This destination brings together 2 cities: Comendador Levy Gasparian, Paraíba do Sul.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
The airports of Rio de Janeiro, including Galeão, are entry alternatives. BR-040 organizes access to the Três Rios and Comendador Levy Gasparian axis; BR-393 connects access to Paraíba do Sul. For the museum, locate Mont Serrat and Praça Capitão Tiramorros.
Comendador Levy Gasparian is home to the Museu Rodoviário de Paraibuna, installed in a former horse-exchange station of the União e Indústria, and the Igreja Nossa Senhora de Mont Serrat. The Rio Paraibuna shapes the landscape and hosts rafting activities. On the Caminho Novo, the town brings travelers closer to the history of transport and the river valley.
Paraíba do Sul combines the mineral waters of Parque Salutaris with the urban heritage of Jardim Velho, also called Jardim São João Marcos. The old station houses the Centro Cultural Maria de Lourdes Tavares, while the Palacete Ribeiro de Sá marks the city's architecture. The stop at Caminho Novo allows you to discover a hydromineral spa linked to the river that gives it its name.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
Choose dates based on the availability of the Museu Rodoviário and the cultural spaces in Paraíba do Sul. Good weather favors Mont Serrat, the Jardim Velho and Parque Salutaris. For rafting on the Paraibuna, the responsible team must assess rain and flow; do not automatically move the departure to any date.
Two days are enough for a concentrated program: one in Mont Serrat, with the museum and church, and another for the urban heritage of Paraíba do Sul and Parque Salutaris. Add a third day for rafting, with a confirmed departure, so cultural visits are not rushed in the same period.
Paraíba do Sul is a base for those who want to combine a garden, the station and mineral waters in their program. Mont Serrat, in Comendador Levy Gasparian, brings accommodation closer to the Museu Rodoviário and the Paraibuna. Choose based on the priority of the outing and the road connection between towns, checking reception at the establishments.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
Mont Serrat is a district of Comendador Levy Gasparian. When searching for accommodation and transport for the Museu Rodoviário, use that municipality as a reference.
Its building is a former horse-exchange station of the União e Indústria. The visit is also of interest to those seeking to understand the history of travel in the interior.
The combination depends on the time reserved by the operator on the Paraibuna and on the opening hours of the cultural sites. An extra day avoids reducing the museum and the church to quick stops.
The old station, the Jardim Velho and the Palacete Ribeiro de Sá continue the heritage theme. Parque Salutaris adds an outing related to the mineral waters.