ruins · Iranduba, AM
Ruínas de Paricatuba
A mansion started in 1898 by the Amazonas government to house Italian immigrants, later used as a trade school, a jail and a leprosy hospital. The ruined walls, laced with roots and vines, stand on the right bank of the Rio Negro.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Ruínas de Paricatuba
The Ruínas de Paricatuba are what remains of a large mansion built in the late 19th century in the village of Paricatuba, in Iranduba, on the right bank of the Rio Negro. The building went up during the rubber boom to serve as an immigrant hostel, and local tradition speaks of Italian immigrants.
After that, the mansion had several uses: a trade school for poor boys, a detention center for prisoners from Manaus and, from the 1920s on, a leper colony, where people with leprosy lived in isolation for decades. Once abandoned, the building was taken over by the forest, and Paricatuba was declared Intangible Historical and Cultural Heritage of Amazonas in 2015.
Today you see the arched facade and staircase, roofless halls and walls covered by the roots of trees that grew over the masonry. The setting draws photographers and history buffs. Village residents organize guided tours and share the memory of the place.
The visit is short and easy, on flat ground of dirt and grass, but with no accessibility features. The walls are fragile: do not climb on the ruins, and respect the cordoned-off areas.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
About 1 hour at the ruins; allow half a day if you combine it with the village and the beaches of Paricatuba.
Best time
Early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when it is less hot and the light filters through the trees; in the dry season (July to November) the roads and trails are easier.
How to get there
It is in the village of Paricatuba, in Iranduba, about 30 km from Manaus by road: cross the Ponte Rio Negro (bridge), follow the AM-070 highway and turn onto the Paricatuba side road (about 40 minutes by car). Buses run from Manaus to the village, and you can also get there by speedboat on the Rio Negro.
Tip
To understand the site's history, book a visit with guides from the village itself through the Viva Paricatuba project, and bring insect repellent and water.
A look at the place
Ruínas de Paricatuba in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Ruínas de Paricatuba
Is there an entrance fee for the Ruínas de Paricatuba?
The sources consulted indicate that visiting the ruins is free. Guided tours by residents are arranged separately with the Viva Paricatuba project.
How long does it take to get from Manaus to Paricatuba?
About 40 minutes by car, crossing the Ponte Rio Negro (bridge) and following the AM-070 highway to the village side road. You can also go by bus or by speedboat on the Rio Negro.
What was the Ruínas de Paricatuba building used for?
It was built in the late 19th century as an immigrant hostel and later served as a trade school, a detention center and a leper colony.
How long does the visit take?
About 1 hour at the ruins. With the village and the beaches of Paricatuba, the outing takes half a day.
Can you go inside the ruins?
Yes, but the walls are fragile. Do not climb on the structures, and respect the cordoned-off areas and the guides' instructions.