paraty is a city located along the coast of rio de janeiro state, south of rio city itself. delightfully squeezed between the vast atlantic forest, and the expansive atlantic ocean, the city was once an important commercial center, during colonial times - the forte defensor perpétuo was originally built, in 1703, as part of a network of forts, which defended the city and the port against pirates and possible invaders. it was initially named defesa or ponta da defesa, but after falling into ruin, was rebuilt in 1822, and renamed in honor of dom pedro i, the emperor and 'perpetual defender' of brazil.

whilst the other forts of this era have all completely eroded, the forte defensor perpétuo still stands, after a preservation of the building, in 1957, once it was transferred to the ministry of culture and education. made up of three separate areas: the home of the commander, the wing of the headquarters troop, and, the lower quarter, the site is now used as a historical attraction, and a center of popular arts and traditions of paraty.