the church of nossa senhora de nazareth was then built, and it remains the city's main attraction. in 1947, a local priest also created a new sanctuary in a  nearby cave by placing there a statue of nossa senhora de lourdes there, location now known as the gruta nossa senhora de lourdes saquarema.

today saquarema it is universally referred to as brazil's surf capital, and it is the host to many national and international surf competitions - amazing beaches such as praia itauna offer avid and world-class surfers fantastic opportunities, and there is also a verdantly lush countryside to explore.