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Piracicaba is a city in inland São Paulo state in southeastern Brazil, about 150 km northwest of the state capital, famous for the Piracicaba River tumbling through its centre, the historic Engenho Central sugar mill and the riverside Rua do Porto.
Founded in 1767 on the banks of the river, it grew rich on sugar cane and coffee in the 19th century and later became one of the first industrial cities of the country. It is also home to the renowned ESALQ agricultural college and proud of its caipira culture and accent, recognised as local heritage.
Visitors stroll along the Rua do Porto, watch the falls from the Mirante and explore the brick halls of the Engenho Central, which hosts the city's international humour festival. Day trips lead to the spa town of Águas de São Pedro, the rafting rivers of Brotas and boat cruises through the Barra Bonita lock on the Tietê.
Rua do Porto is the riverside street of Piracicaba in São Paulo state, lined with old houses, bars and restaurants facing the Piracicaba River. A riverside park with lawns and walking paths runs beside it, and the street is a favourite spot for locals and visitors to eat, stroll and watch the river.
Engenho Central de Piracicaba is a vast former sugar mill on the banks of the Piracicaba River, founded in 1881 by the Baron of Rezende and later one of the most important in Brazil. Its brick halls, now protected heritage, host exhibitions, shows and the city's international humour festival.
Casa do Povoador is a historic wattle-and-daub house on the banks of the Piracicaba River, built in the early 19th century and seen as a symbol of the pioneers who passed through the region. Its simple whitewashed walls and tiled roof stand close to the river near the Rua do Porto.
Rio Piracicaba is the river that runs through the heart of Piracicaba, where it tumbles over rocky rapids and falls right beside the city centre. The Parque do Mirante, a historic viewpoint built in 1895, looks out over the falls, and the old Engenho Central sugar mill stands on its banks nearby.
Piracicaba Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Anthony, is the main Catholic church of Piracicaba and the seat of its diocese, standing on a square in the city centre. Its tall facade and spacious interior make it a landmark of the old town and the setting of the city's most important celebrations.
ESALQ, the Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture of the University of São Paulo, opened in Piracicaba in 1901 and was one of the founding schools of the university in 1934. Its green campus has a historic main building, a park, ponds and stained-glass windows, and is open for walks.
Museu Prudente de Moraes is a history museum in the former home of Prudente de Moraes, the lawyer and Piracicaba politician who became Brazil's first civilian president. Opened in 1957, it holds his personal belongings with collections on the 1932 Revolution and the history of the city.
Piracicaba Zoo, the municipal zoo of Piracicaba, opened in 1972 and covers about 36,000 square metres, with some 200 animals. Families come to see native Brazilian species such as jaguars and pumas up close, and its shady paths make it a popular outing for children on hot days.
Águas de São Pedro is a spa town near Piracicaba and the smallest municipality in São Paulo state, covering only about 3.6 square kilometres. It is known for its medicinal mineral springs and fountains, leafy parks and the historic Grande Hotel, and draws visitors seeking rest and relaxation.
Brotas is a small town in inland São Paulo state known as Brazil's National Capital of Adventure, with waterfalls, rivers and some of the best rafting in the country. Visitors come for rafting on the Jacaré-Pepira River, ziplines and swims beneath waterfalls such as the Cachoeira da Roseira.
Barra Bonita Lock is a lock on the Tietê River beside the Barra Bonita dam, about 142 metres long, that lifts and lowers boats through a drop of up to 25 metres. Opened in 1973, it was the first lock in South America to be used for tourism, and a boat cruise through it is a popular day out.
Colônia Tirolesa de Piracicaba is the rural area of Santa Olímpia and Santana, settled over a century ago by immigrants from the Tyrol region, then part of Austria and now Italy. Their descendants keep up old traditions, language and food, and the community is known for its polenta festival.
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