Marabá is the city and municipality in the state Pará, located in the northern Brazil. It was founded at the conjunction of two rivers: Itacaiúnas and Tocantins and exactly at this place there is situated today its historical centre. Through the city runs the route Transamazonian, that connect the Amazonia with the Brazilian shore.
Though in the 16th century Portugal explored the area of the northern Brazil, the basin of Itacaiúnas remained free from conquistadors. Only in 1884 the fugitive from the province Goiás arrived at the place and founded a settlement Burgo do Itacayúnaon the left bank of the river Tocantins. After a few months a rubber fever started that attracted more newcomers. Soon a famous merchant Francisco Coelho da Silva founded a centre of trade of rubber – Pontal do Itacayúna, called casually Casa Marabá. Upon the death of the founder, Burgo do Itacayúna lost its importance. But Casa Marabá gained and in 1913 was officially granted a status of municipality and town. The next newcomers were attracted by plantations of Brazilian nuts and diamond mines.
What is worth seeing there? Start to get to know the city from Museu Municipal de Marabá, thanks to which you will learn history of indigenous people and their culture, and understand the phenomena of the rubber fever. In the building of the museum takes place courses of singing and dancing. If you are interested by local art and culture of the region, step also by Museu de Artes Municipal Pedro Morbach. A perfect spot to rest is Praia do Tucunaré – go there by a boat, lie on the beach and swim in clear waters of the river Tocantins. If you fancy some good music live, go to the club Maverick 73.
Cuisine of the region is rich in various local titbits. Try pato no tucupi, which is a duck in special sauce from fermented manioc. It is wort also to try afro-Brazilian snack vatapá from bread, shrimps, coconut milk, finely grind peanuts and palm oil mixed to a creamy sauce. A good choice will also be maniçoba – a festive dish made of minced and properly prepared leaves of manioc and many types of meat. We recommend restaurants Bambu and Tertulia Churrascaria.
