Amparo

The settlement of Nossa Senhora do Amparo was founded in 1829. After 1850, it prospered with the coffee farming, and got a boost with the inauguration of the train station from the Mogiana company. The Great Depression of 1929 also brought the decline of coffee farming in the state of São Paulo, and Amparo suffered from economic stagnation. After 1940, the city started recovering with industrialization and later, tourism. Química Amparo (Ypê), a manufacturer of cleaning products founded in 1950, is still the main employer of the city.
Amparo remains as one of the cities of the state with most preserved heritage from the coffee farming era. Other attractions of the city are its mineral springs, rural tourism, eno- and ecotourism.

By bus

The intercity bus terminal is in the historic center, near the Municipal Market, making intercity buses an attractive option to get in the city. Buses from Campinas are operated by Expresso Metropolis and from São Paulo by Rápido Fênix. Buses are not that frequent so reserving in advance is a good idea.

By car

• From Campinas: Take Rod. D. Pedro (SP-065) towards Jacareí and then take Rod. Campinas-Mogi Mirim (SP-340) towards Jaguariúna. In Jaguariúna, take Rod. João Beira (SP-095) towards Pedreira and Amparo.
• From São Paulo: Take Rod. Fernão Dias (BR-381), and in Atibaia, take Rod. D. Pedro (SP-065) towards Campinas. Then take SP-360 towards Morungaba and Amparo.

It is possible explore the city center on foot, although the area is relatively large and contains ladders. You can cycle alongside the Camanducaia river, but for exploring the city, be prepared for the ladders and brick roads. A car is recommended if you plan to explore the countryside of municipality.

Historical heritage

Amparo's city center contains a large collection of houses and constructions from the coffee-farming era (late 19th and early 20th centuries). The most remarkable constructions are:

• Museu Histórico e Pedagógico Bernardino de Campos

  phone: +55 19 3807-2742
  address: Rua Luiz Leite, 7
  Small palace constructed in 1885 to be home of a local ariscrat, Colonel Luíz de Souza Leite. It later became the Amparo's city hall and the city council hall. It is now a museum with 15,000 pieces, mostly from the 19th century, and is considered to be the most relevant museum of the Circuito das Águas.

• Praça Monsenhor João Batista Lisboa

  address: Center
  Amparo's main square, containing some buildings of interest:

• Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora do AmparoAmparo's central church, in neoclassic style, inaugurated in 1878.

• Biblioteca Municipal Carlos FerreiraThe municipal library, founded in 1900 and containing about 23,000 volumes.

• Sociedade Italiana

  address: Praça Monsenhor João Batista Lisboa
  Building constructed in 1901 by the Italian community. It was the city hall of Amparo until 2008.

Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário

address: Largo do Rosário - Centro

Church constructed in 1831, maintaining its original characteristics.

Santa Casa Ana Cintra

address: Rua Ana Cintra, 332

Hospital constructed in 1890 by a Campinas aristocrat.

Hospital da Beneficência Portuguesa de Amparo

address: Av. Bernardino de Campos, 207

The palace built in 1892, now a hospital, is one of the most beautiful constructions of the city.

Largo da Estação

address: Praça Pádua Salles

Square containing the tourist information center and a couple of places of interest, including:

• Old Amparo train stationThe old train station that was operated by Companhia Mogiana and inaugurated in 1875. The last train departed to Monte Alegre do Sul in 2 January 1967.

• Pinacoteca Dr. Constâncio CintraArt museum founded in 1975, containing about 400 works.

Igreja de São Benedito

address: R. São Benedito, 117 - Centro

Church founded in 1885, annex to a cloister founded in 1912.

Etec João Belarmino

address: R. Sete de Setembro, 299 - Centro

Technical school founded in 1911 to train factory works, which retains its original function.

EEPG Luiz Leite

address: Rua Capitão Alceu Vieira, 76 – Centro

Public school founded in 1894.

Mercado Municipal

address: Praça Dr. Araújo

The city's municipal market, founded in 1912 and reopened in 2013 after a restoration process. Contains a restaurant and a chopperia.

Patronato Jesus Crucificado

address: Rua Barão de Campinas, 307 - Centro

Old house of the Baron of Campinas, constructed in 1878. Also where Emperor Pedro II of Brazil stayed for 2 days. It is now a school for small children.

Parks and nature

• Parque Turístico do Cristo Redentor

  address: Rodovia Amparo-Itapira
  Park with a statue of the Redeemer Christ and a panoramic view of the city.

Events

• Festival de Inverno

  address: Praça Pádua Salles (Largo da Estação)
  The annual Winter Festival consists of shows are scheduled for the whole month of July. All kinds of bands are invited to the city, from sertanejo (a Brazilian form of country music) to heavy metal. Ballet and plays are often part of it. Although the event is more oriented toward city residents, it's a touristic event and July might be the best time to visit Amparo.

Amparo's main shopping street is R. Treze de Maio, with shops mainly oriented to locals, not tourists. Locally made handcrafts are sold at Centro de Artesanato in the old train station.

• Farol

  phone: +55 19 3817-1227
  address: Rua Treze de Maio 336

• Gordão Lanches

• La Fornalha

  phone: +55 19 3808-1800
  address: R. Dr. Osvaldo Cruz, 14
  Pizzeria.

• Ney Lanches

  phone: +55 19 3817-3672
  address: R. Manoel Heitor, 136

• Ponto 8

  phone: +55 19 3807-8014
  address: Pç Monsenhor João Batista Lisboa, no number

• Restaurante Guarany

  phone: +55 19 3808-8989
  address: Rua Comendador Guimarães, 500

• Rovigo

  phone: +55 19 3807-9890
  address: R. 15 de Novembro, 45
  Pizzaria.

• Tucão Lanches

  phone: +55 19 3808-1261
  address: Rua Dr Plínio Amaral, 85

• Vecchio Zilli

  phone: +55 19 3817-2161
  address: Av. Bernardino de Campos, 1340
  Pizzeria.

• Anexo Pub

• Bar Quintal

• Botequim do Rosário

• Matriz Chopperia

• One Eventos

  phone: +55 19 3808-3389
  address: Rua Treze de Maio, 17 - Centro
  Dance club, one of the largest of the Paulista Water Circuit.

• Paraty Chopperia

  address: Av. Dr. Carlos Burgos, 1630 - Centro
  Large bar with live Brazilian music (various styles).

• Alpes Chalés

• Ancona Canter Hotel

• Bougainville Hotel Fazenda

• Chalés & Cia.

• Grande Hotel Amparo

• Hotel Fazenda Vanguarda

• Hotel Resort Canto da Floresta

• Hotel Sant'Ana

• Maranim Plaza Hotel

• Pousada Coisas da Terra e do Céu

• Pousada Dois Lagos

• Pousada Fazenda São Joaquim

• Pousada Sierra

Amparo is a safe city, with violent crime being far less common than petty crime. The roads around the city are quite dark during the night, so drive carefully in this situation.

• Monte Alegre do Sul - Small town founded by Italian immigrants, with a charming historic center and renowned cachaça brewers