If you believe that only Lençóis Maranhenses is the main destination in the region of São Luís, you are wrong. The small town of Alcântara is a relic that holds stories and the iconography of a Brazil still under construction – a true historical destination.
Access to the village is by boat, on a trip of just over an hour. Perhaps the difficult access is the reason that Alcântara has preserved all the charm and refinement of colonial times.
Upon arrival at the village, a small Portugal presents itself. All the architecture and urbanism are deeply inspired by what the Colonial Portuguese Empire dictated. This is not new to those who have visited cities like Ouro Preto and Tiradentes, in Minas Gerais. However, Alcântara does not present the economic power that gold provided to that region and everything is much simpler. This makes the historical experience unique.
For a full visit, it is very interesting to make use of the guided tours that are offered in the city. Alcântara has valuable stories from a remote past, and a tourist history fan will find value in the information offered by a guide. Finding this service is not difficult: upon arrival at the port, there are visitor´s centers that can assist you. It is also possible to buy from city maps to soft drinks and water, indispensable to the hot weather of the city.
It is evident that the main attraction of the city is its iconography, strongly present in the local architecture, preserved since colonial times. There was a good job of maintaining and restoring most of the historic buildings, which preserved the local identity. Some others are in ruins, but they keep stories and legends that are part of the culture.
Alcântara is one of those destinations that tell the history of Brazil, despite never having been in the national political or economic center, as is customary in most historical sites that are preserved. For this reason and for everything that surrounds the city, it is worth the visit.
