based on pentecost day, in either may or june, all of rio de janeiro city and state celebrates the ancient tradition of the festa do divino espírito santo. these festivities are said to have been initiated by queen isabel of portugal in the 13th century.

while some celebrations happen in various districts of rio de janeiro city, and in many churches,  the most traditional of these celebrations occurs in the town of paraty, a charming historic town about 250km from the city of rio.