Sao Paulo: Sites of Interest

Butantã Snake Farm

The snake pits, in which the snakes are exposed outdoors, were created in 1912. When visiting the snake pits it will be possible to find some of the main venomous species (jararacas and rattlesnakes) and non-venomous species (boas, anacondas and others) of Brazil.
The excessive number of snakes in the enclosures of the snake pits increases the risk of diseases and contamination, decreasing the life-time of each animal. Thus, to maintain the snakes in good conditions, we avoid placing a large number of specimens in each enclosure.

Its two museums are both open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission for both is US$1.25. The farm is in a very nice park, good for picnics, at the edge of the Cidade Universitária (bus No 102-U Butantã-USP from Praça da República).

House of the Bandeirante

In 1954, the IV Centenarian Commission called this typical pioneer's abode the "House of the Bandeirante", endowing it with a proper furniture, utensils and other objects of historical value from the São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and the Valley of the Paraíba. Included on the farm are a sugar mill, an ox cart and farm implements. if you're in the area you can take a tour of this fascinating history lesson. It's in Praça Monteiro Lobato, and is open Tuesday to Sunday between 9 am and 5 pm.

Memorial da Ámerica Latina

With a collection of 30,000 books and 1,700 films, this memorial houses a pavilion of popular creativity, with a permanent collection of popular art from Mexico, Bolivia, Guatemala, Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay and Brazil. Near Barra Funda subway at Rua Mario de Andrade 664 this group of buildings is another Niemeyer creation. Outside is a 1m cement hand. Inside are the Center of Latin American studies, an auditorium with free concerts, and various handicraft exhibits. Portinari's painting Tiradentes hangs in the Salão de Atos and huge panels by Carybé and Poty represent the people of South America.

Parque do Ibirapuera

Inside the park is the Museu de Arte Moderna, the oldest museum of modern art in the country with a huge collection of works from the 1930s to the 1970s. There's also a planetarium with sessions daily; plus other assorted monuments including a Japanese pavilion and, in the Bienal building, several museums. The large edifice across the street from the park is the São Paulo state legislature. Just outside the park, at the end of Avenida Brasil, is Victor Brecheret's huge monument Bandeiras, built in memory of the pioneers of the city. Take the metro to Santa Cruz and then bus No 775-C Jardim Maria Sampião, or bus No 5121 Santo Amaro from Praça da República.

Statue of the Bandeirantes

These were early explorers that traveled West and North to the Amazon River. They are responsible for "establishing" Brasil's vast borders in South America. By planting the Portuguese flag far away from the Atlantic Coast the Spanish Crown had to recognize their marked territory as part of the Portuguese Empire. They were courageous, but often brutal killing thousands of the indigenous population. They searched for gold, emeralds, and other precious stones. São Paulo was their primary staging area.

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