Taoboathé, Taybaté, Thaubaté or Tabuathe?

This name is Tupi origin and it was given by Guaianás or Guaianazes Indians who used to live here.

According to Teodoro Sampaio, a linguist, the name is from Taba-eté which means a legitimate village.

The Guaianás Indians ran away from São Paulo to settle a nearby land and probably they can have chosen the name purposely to cheat white men the land belonged to them. In this same region lived Quiriri and Teremembe Indians. They were underestimated because this area was a strategic area, a meeting point among Sao Paulo, Minas and Rio de Janeiro. Taubaté Village improved and many important building are preserved up to now.

MONUMENTS AND MUSEUMS

Convento Santa Clara (Convent) – (1674) it was a remark in “São Francisco das Chagas de Taubaté” (Taubaté’s previous name). Foreigner travelers in 18-19th century admired the building because of its size and beauty. In 1842 fire almost collapsed the building. Rebuilt, it still keeps part of the original façade.

Capela Nossa Senhora do Pilar (Chapel) - (1748) it shelters the Museu de Arte Sacra (Sacred Art Museum). It is part of “paulista barroco art” from colonial period.

Igreja São Francisco das Chagas (Church) – it originates from the first church built by Jacques Felix, Taubaté’s founder, in 1645 – it was built in mud and wood (taipa-de-pilão). This church was reshaped in 1942, keeping its main altar, from the beginning of 18th century and also a huge organ musical instrument (206 pipes).

Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário (Church) – it was built in the 18th century in mud and wood (taipa-de-pilão). Later, in the middle of 19th century it was reshaped preserving its “paulista barroco style”.

Santuário Santa Terezinha (Sanctuary) - (1923) neo-gothic style, it preserves in its main altar master pieces from Spain. Visitors should gaze at its stained glass window and the effects of solar lights reflected inside this sanctuary.

Teatro Metrópole (Theater) - (1921) it used to be Polytheama Theater Cinema and it was bought by the Main Hall in 1999, reshaped and modernized to be a theater place. Its capacity is 565 seats.

Museu Histórico (Historical Museum) – it has a permanent exhibition about local history.

Arquivo Histórico (Historical File) – it has documents from the local Register Office since 17th century.

Biblioteca Histórica (Historical Library) – there are old newspapers as well as about 50,000 books of general history including rare issues.

Museu de Artes Plásticas Anderson Fabiano (Anderson Fabiano Master Pieces Museum) – master pieces from local artists among them Anderson Fabiano and Clodomiro Amazonas.

Museu da Imagem e do Som (Sound and Image Museum) – it keeps pictures and documents from recent history.

Museu da Imigração Italiana (Italian Immigration Museum) (1903) – located in Quiririm in Indiani’s family village. Visitors can see aspects of the Italian families from 19th century that settled in this region.

OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT

Sítio do Pica Pau Amarelo (small farm) – it is located at Chácara do Visconde, where Monteiro Lobato, a well known member of Brazilian literature, was born and lived. At this place visitors can see the farm old house as well as furniture. Shows performed by Monteiro Lobato’s characters are offered to visitors daily.

Fazenda Santa – it was Mazzaropi’s first studio, where he shot 15 from his 32 films. There it can be visited the hut from the farm, the studio, cafeteria and the curious “Virgins House” where actress used to sleep apart from actors. It was Mazzaropi’s order.

Parque Itaim (Itaim Park) – it is placed next to the hotel, visitors can travel 2 km by an old train named Maria Fumaça, also entertain themselves with the shows performed by Sítio do Pica Pau Amarelo’s characters.

Quiririm and Mercato – Quiririm is a tiny town settled by Italian immigrants in the end of 19th century. Mercato turned to be a gastronomic place where visitors can appreciate the delicious Italian food.

SHOPPING

Figureiras (Taubaté’s Sculptors) – History tells faithfull ancient from this city where motivated by Franciscan members from the convent to sculp cribs of the nativity. Today, “figureiras” are experts in sculping in mud to report everyday life, folkloric parties and religious cribs.

Medicinal Herbs – Taubaté is famous for its Open Market where all kinds of medicinal herbs can be found.

Berganha or Breganha (Flea market) – it is usually in the street by Open Market, on Sunday mornings, where old and used goods are sold.

For further information call the hotel reception desk.