Far from the city’s clamor lies Marsilac. It is São Paulo’s southernmost district. Marsilac’s story begins with an engineer, José Alfredo de Marsillac. He was the district’s namesake.
José Alfredo de Marsillac was a road and tunnel builder. A bomb in the Revolution of 1932 injured him. Despite losing 99% of his vision, he kept working. His innovative techniques earned him lasting recognition. The district of Marsilac honors his legacy.
The seeds of Marsilac sprouted with the Mairinque-Santos railway. The Estrada de Ferro Sorocabana finished it in 1935. This railway connected Mairinque and Santos. Three stations arose within the district. These were Engineer Marsilac, Evangelista de Souza, and Rio de Campos. The Engineer Marsilac station lent its name to the neighborhood. Later, the district adopted the name too.
Marsilac stands near the Serra do Mar. It is a largely rural area. In fact, it is the largest district in São Paulo by land area. This area equals the entire central part of the city. Marsilac has the lowest population density. Much of it consists of protected Atlantic Forest.
Imagine Marsilac’s remoteness. It is about 60 to 70 kilometers from Marco Zero. It is only 10 to 15 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean. You can see the ocean from certain high points. Marsilac shares borders with other municipalities. These include São Vicente and Itanhaém. A tiny part of Marsilac sits at sea level. This lies in the Capivari River valley.
Despite its natural beauty, Marsilac faces challenges. It is the poorest district in São Paulo. It also has the city’s lowest Human Development Index.
Before 1935, Marsilac belonged to Santo Amaro. Then Santo Amaro was annexed to São Paulo. The southeastern part, Evangelista de Souza, was once part of São Vicente. It became part of Parelheiros in 1944. Thus, it also joined the capital.
The climate in Marsilac is humid subtropical. It has distinct seasons. The average yearly temperature is 18°C. It is known for recording some of the lowest temperatures in the city.
Marsilac has a rich array of plant life. It lies in an ecotone area. Here, dense rainforest and mixed rainforest meet. You can find diverse species. Pitangueiras, jabuticabeiras, and araucárias thrive here.
The Capivari River forms the Marsilac waterfall. The locals have used it for recreation for over a century. The Mairinque-Santos railway workers enjoyed it since 1938. It now has facilities for visitors. You can find parking, changing rooms, and lifeguard services. Ecotourism activities are available. These include trails, rappelling, and zip-lining.
Marsilac is a district of contrasts. It is a place of natural beauty and historical significance. It also reflects the challenges of urban development.