Chácara do Madeiro is simultaneously a historic monument, ecological reserve and laboratory of the future.

It was here that, in 1980, Charles Capelle, electrical engineer in charge of the huge ITAIPU project (hydroelectric dam on Brazil’s southern border), took refuge from the ills of civilisation in an attempt to establish a more balanced lifestyle, based on self-sustenance.

Since the sixteenth century, the area has been susceptible to logging, yet this is one of the few local forests still characterised by the endangered Pau-Brasil (Brazilwood) tree. During the nineteenth century, this expanse of land pertained to the vast João Armógenas ranch, whose last remaining slaves (Dona Joaquina and Dona Antonia) passed away only a few years ago in Pipa.

More recently, the Madeiro has been in the hands of the local Borges family, which leases the area for planting and cattle pasturing. Through efforts initiated in 1976, forest growth has begun to be recuperated and revitalised, though it will be many more years before it reaches the noble heights of yore.

At the time when Charles Capelle moved here Pipa had no source of electricity or water, and at times food was scarce. But with a spirit of adventure he found creative solutions for all the problems he encountered. While cultivating his orchid garden and miniature trees, he also dedicated himself to works of fine art, some of which are on display at the museum named in his honour.

Currently the Chácara is the location of an incipient science experiment: the training and releasing of wild animals with the aim of repopulating the region by means of controlled reintroduction of its original fauna. To this end, support is provided by Natal’s Centre for Recuperation and Reintroduction of Wild Animals (CERRAS), and by a team of dedicated volunteers.

In order not to jeopardise this work and to maintain the area’s delicate ecological balance, we ask visitors to respect the Park Code of Conduct (“Código de Comportamento na Mata”) printed on the back of your entrance ticket.

1) JACÚ BIRD TRAIL - Sunny, serene trail leading to the Chácara’s highest point, where a fire tower offers a panoramic view of the region’s forest cover. Deep in this shelter is found one of the Sanctuary’s most endangered birds, the JACÚ.

2) BOA CONSTRICTOR TRAIL - Shady and serpentine trail on which an enormous boa constrictor was found in 1980. At the trail’s lowest point and most remote corner of the park, wild animals can be observed sating their thirst at a small pool.

3) FAIR MAIDEN’S PATH - tenchanting trail at the ocean’s edge (at an altitude of 70m!) where at any moment you might happen upon the evanescent goddess of the forest. But the trail’s namesake and beautiful maiden is even more elusive...

4) HIKE OF THE PEROBA TREE - this spacious trail takes hikers through a charming tunnel beneath twisted pororoca and peroba branches, ending at the precipitous Madeiro Point. Dolphins and sea tortoises can be sighted diving in the waves, and views of the coast extend north to Tabatinga Point and south as far as Cabo Verde Point.