Once a devastated landscape, now a sacred haven. The Santuário Ecológico da Serra do Mar tells a story of transformation. It is a place where nature and spirituality intertwine. This sanctuary is more than just a scenic location. It represents a profound rebirth.
The Santuário Ecológico da Serra do Mar, also known as the Santuário Nacional da Umbanda, is part of the Reserva Ecológica da Serra do Mar. This land has a unique history. It was once exploited by the Pedreira Montanhão quarry. The quarry ceased operations in the 1960s leaving behind a trail of destruction.
Enter Babalaô Ronaldo Linares. He was a visionary spiritual leader. He already used the space for religious practices. He saw an opportunity to heal the scarred land. He wanted to create a sacred space. Here, his Umbanda brothers and sisters could connect with nature. They could worship their Guias and Orixás.
Thus, the Santuário Nacional da Umbanda was born. It is also known as Vale dos Orixás. It is often called the “Mecca of Umbandistas”. This is a place every practitioner of Afro-Brazilian religions should visit at least once in their lifetime. It offers a unique spiritual experience.
The Santuário Ecológico da Serra do Mar spans 645000 square meters of native forest. It actively promotes environmental recovery and preservation. It features a botanical laboratory. There is also a worm farm and a seedling nursery. A school of practical ecology enriches the sanctuary. It is a refuge in São Paulo. Practitioners of African-based religions can recharge here. They connect with Mother Nature and practice their faith peacefully.
The Federação Umbandista do Grande ABC is the maintaining entity of the Santuário Ecológico da Serra do Mar. It orchestrated the environmental recovery of the area. It did this in conjunction with the Umbanda community. They planted over 500 native species from the region. This included more than thirty thousand plant seedlings. Over the past 50 years, nature has rebounded. This reflects in the exuberant fauna and flora. Lakes, waterfalls, quarries, and preserved forests abound.
The Serra do Mar State Park was created in 1977. This occurred when the BR-101 coastal highway was built. It expanded in 2010. It now covers 332000 hectares in 25 municipalities. It is the largest protected area of Atlantic Forest in Brazil. The park connects the Serra do Mar forests to the Vale do Ribeira and Paraná. Its escarpments dominate the coast of São Paulo.
Managed by the Forestry Foundation of São Paulo, the Serra do Mar State Park is a vital sanctuary. It provides refuge to hundreds of species of birds and other animals. The park also protects crucial water sources. These supply the São Paulo metropolitan region. They also supply Baixada Santista, Litoral Norte, and the Paraíba Valley. It helps moderate the climate and maintain the stability of the slopes.
As you wander through the Santuário Ecológico da Serra do Mar, remember its journey. From a devastated quarry to a thriving sanctuary. It stands as a testament to the power of faith. It shows the resilience of nature. It is a beacon of hope for environmental and spiritual renewal.