Frade e a Freira Natural Monument ( pt, Monumento Natural O Frade e a Freira) is a
natural monument
A natural monument is a natural or natural/cultural feature of outstanding or unique value because of its inherent rarity, representative of aesthetic qualities or cultural significance.
Under World Commission on Protected Areas guidelines, na ...
in the state of
Espírito Santo
Espírito Santo (, , ; ) is a state in southeastern Brazil. Its capital is Vitória, and its largest city is Serra. With an extensive coastline, the state hosts some of the country's main ports, and its beaches are significant tourist attra ...
, Brazil.
Location
The ''Frade e a Freira'' (Friar and Nun) is an unusual rock formation located in the south of the state of Espírito Santo.
The protected area includes about and contains characteristic fragments of
Atlantic Forest.
It covers parts of the municipalities of
Cachoeiro de Itapemirim
Cachoeiro de Itapemirim (local ) is a municipality and a major town, located in the south of Espírito Santo, Brazil, on the banks of the Itapemirim River. It is the economic hub of southern Espírito Santo, being the most important producer of m ...
,
Itapemirim and
Vargem Alta
Vargem Alta is a municipality located in the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo
Espírito Santo (, , ; ) is a state in southeastern Brazil. Its capital is Vitória, and its largest city is Serra. With an extensive coastline, the state host ...
.
It lies to the north of the road between Cachoeiro de Itapemirim and
Rio Novo do Sul.
The rock is in altitude, and may be climbed by visitors.
History
On 12 June 1986 the formation was given a Natural Cultural Heritage designation by the state, and on 6 September 2007 it was made a Natural Monument by state decree 1917-R.
It became part of the
Central Atlantic Forest Ecological Corridor
The Central Atlantic Forest Ecological Corridor ( pt, Corredor Central da Mata Atlântica is an ecological corridor in the states of Espírito Santo and Bahia, Brazil. It promotes improvements to connectivity between fragments of Atlantic Forest ...
, created in 2002.
As of 2012 there was no evidence of any state effort to protect the monument, such as a gatehouse or guides.
In 2015 it was found that 150 native trees had been cut down near the monument and the profitable parts removed.
It was not clear whether they were within the protected area.
Name
The name comes from a legend that a monk and a nun, who were working together in an attempt to convert the Indians to Christianity, fell in love with each other.
They were forbidden to consummate their love by the church and by their own beliefs, although their feelings became deeper every day.
For their sacrifice God transformed their passion into stone, where it is immortalized and admired by everyone who passes through the region.
Notes
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Protected areas of Espírito Santo
Natural monuments of Brazil