Cinema da Praça (Praça da Matriz)
Step back in time at Cinema da Praça, nestled in the heart of Paraty's historic centre on Praça da Matriz. This 19th-century townhouse, once known as 'seu Pedro's cinema', has been lovingly restored and reopened as a cultural hub in July 2018. Marvel at the exposed brick walls and spacious interior, reminiscent of the town's grand churches. Whether you're here for a film screening or simply to admire the architecture, this is a must-visit spot in Paraty. Don't miss the chance to experience a piece of Paraty's past. The cinema offers free sessions of Brazilian and international films, as well as special screenings for children. Even if you're not catching a movie, the square itself is worth a visit, with the Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios standing proudly beside the cinema.
On Praça da Matriz, the main square of Paraty's historic centre, stands a tall 19th-century townhouse that is once again the town's cinema. From the 1930s until the 1970s it was the Cine São Jorge, fondly remembered as 'seu Pedro's cinema'. After it closed, Paraty went 45 years without a cinema, until the restored building reopened as the Cinema da Praça in July 2018. Inside, the restoration left the marks of time on show: huge exposed-brick walls from different eras and a double-height space whose size is comparable only to the town's main churches. The 80-seat public cinema shows Brazilian and international films, festival screenings and sessions for children, and it also has a reading room and a space for audiovisual workshops. Sessions are free. Even if you don't catch a film, stop on the square to see the building and the Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, Paraty's mother church, which stands on the same square.
History
The building on Praça da Matriz was given its tall, distinctive form in a major renovation in the 1930s that turned it into Paraty's cinema, the Cine São Jorge, also known as "seu Pedro's cinema". It operated until 1973. In the decades that followed, the town had no regular cinema.
The city of Paraty bought the building in 2011. Restoration work began in May 2016, funded by the city together with partners including BNDES, Petrobras and the State of Rio de Janeiro, with a project by Arquipélago Arquitetos. The Cinema da Praça was inaugurated on 19 July 2018, on the eve of the Flip literary festival, as a free public cinema and cultural space.
Fun Facts
- Paraty went 45 years without a cinema, from 1973 until the Cinema da Praça opened in 2018.
- Locals still remember the old Cine São Jorge by its nickname, 'seu Pedro's cinema'.
- The restoration deliberately left the exposed brick walls from different eras on show, revealing the building's many past lives.
- With only 80 seats and free sessions, it hosts festival screenings such as Paraty's own film showcase.
Guide Tips
- Want to watch a film? Sessions are free, but pick up your access card at the box office about an hour before.
- Check the weekly programme, which is published online and on the cinema's Instagram (@cinemadapracaparaty).
Opening Hours
Film sessions mainly Fri-Sun from about 15:30. Check the weekly programme.