Búzios
History
Why is it called Armação de Búzios?
After being taken over by the native Tupinambá tribe, Ponta dos Búzios (Point of shells) started to grow and became known as axcellent fishing area, rich in natural resources and abundant shellfish. That´s how Búzios got its name. In 1575 the Portuguese had already included Ponta dos Búzios in the map of the Cabo Frio region.
In the beginning of the 18 th century, with the growing production of gold from Minas Gerais being exported from the city of Rio de Janeiro, there was a big increase in maritime traffic, especially in Guanabara Bay, and this caused a decrease in the number of whales in the area. Before this decrease could cause serious problems to the country, affecting exports, commerce and the supply of the whale oil necessary for the public lighting, traps, called Armações, were assembled along the coastline to attract whales to the area. During the following 40 years, the whale population was depleted almost to extinction. In 1765, Inácio Pedro Quintela assumed responsibility for the capturing and killing of whales in Armação de Búzios until 1768 when he banned it.
In replacement of whale hunting, the fisherman joined together and began to make their living selling salted fish to markets in Rio de Janeiro.
Sant'Anna Church
Casa do Sino
Fundação da Igreja de Sant'Anna
In 1740 the chapel of Saint Anna was founded. Built with rocks and plaster made from lime and whale oil, it now shelters the statues of Saint Anna and the Baby Jesus. These statues may be seen and appreciated in a visit to this recently restored church which has so much history and played a very important role in the everyday life of the village. The church bell would give notice of parties, funerals, emergencies and the appearance of whales. The priest would sound the bell when notified of a whale sighting, thus sending the fisherman to their boats to begin the hunt.
Slave Traffic on Buzios Beach
As from 1850, with the declaration of the Eusébio de Queiroz law that forbade slave trading in Brazil, the port of Búzios started to come under intensive observation by the Navy. Because of this, slave traders searched for other lesser-known ports where they could more easily desembark and sell slaves. Of these sites, the bestknown were José Gonçalves Beach and Ponta do Pai Vitorio on Rasa Beach, also known as the Praia do Desembarque (Landing Beach).
José Gonçalves - was known as the biggest slave trader in the region and possessed a large hut in Araruama, where he housed and sold his slaves. As a wealthy member of the local elite, he welcomed the Emperor D. Pedro II with fireworks and lent him his best boat to to sail on the Araruama Lake. With the abolition of slavery in 1888, groups of freed slaves founded a community in Rasa Beach. They lived by fishing and agriculture.
Brigitte Bardot in Búzios
Rio de Janeiro, January 7, 1964. 5.00 in the morning at Galeao International Airport, Brigitte Bardot is on a plane coming from Paris. Fans, photographers and journalists are anxiously crowded together awaiting her arrival. Nobody could believe that Brigitte Bardot, the 29 year old cinema star who had never before left Europe, had chosen to take her vacations in Brazil.
She almost couldn´t get off the plane and when she saw her boyfriend Bob Zagury’s friend´s little Volkswagen Beetle, she quickly dropped her passport, guitar and her 8 bags and fled away in the car. They headed at full speed ahead to a place near Copacabana Palace. The traffic nearly stopped and there were so many people swarming around wanting pictures and autographs that Brigitte was unable to see Rio and Rio was unable to see Brigitte. Brigitte made an agreement that she would give interviews and have her picture taken under the condition that she be allowed to walk freely.
Brigitte Bardot in Búzios
After giving interviews, Brigitte went to Buzios. Ín those days it was just a small fishing village with 300 people without running water, electricity or telefone. Freedom at last!! Brigitte would swim naked, eat tropical fruit brought by the children, play with their animals and walk barefoot in the fields with pigs and chickens. She would compare the foam of the waves with the foam of champagne, her favorite drink.
She made friends with the fishermen who still have fond memories of her. Jose Geraldo Chaves, the son of the caretaker of the farm where Brigitte stayed on Manguinhos Beach, said:
"At that time I was just 12 years old and I used to pick fruit for her. She used to help the fisherman pull in the fishing nets and sat in my uncle’s store playing the guitar."
Soca , a professional diver, said that when he was a child Brigitte gave him a diving mask with which he started his career.
Búzios, International City
The presence of Brigitte Bardot in Buzios brought the world´s attention to this paradise. Land of fishermen, Buzios has 23 beautiful beaches with crystal-clear waters.
The sun shines the whole year round. Every year there are more people visiting from different countries. In 1997, Buzios became independent from the neighbouring city of Cabo Frio. There are now 20,000 inhabitants and tourism is the main source of income. Buzios is a unique place where people from different nations join together to enjoy life and soak up the sun! The magic recipe is simplicity with sophistication in one of the most beautiful sceneries of the world!
Links de lazer em Búzios, comércio e outras informações
Pousada Byblos - Búzios - Rio de Janeiro - Rua Alto do Humaitá, 14 - Centro
Phone:(+55-22) 2623-1162 - Fax:(+55-22) 2623-2828