Serra dos Órgãos

The Serra dos Órgãos (Organ Pipe Mountains, or "Organ Mountains" ) is the third National Park in Brazil, and was founded on 30 November 1939. It also lies in the state of Rio de Janeiro in Teresópolis, on the area of ​​the cities of Petrópolis, Magé and Guapimirim.

It covers an area of 110 km ² and is known for its sudden towering crags. With altitudes 1500-2200 m, they are one of the highest points of the country whose residual field is located at an altitude of 145 m.

The National Park Serra dos Órgãos located about 55 km north- west of Rio de Janeiro at the northern end of the Guanabara Bay. Geologically, the fantastic rock formations of the Serra dos Órgãos reminiscent of the distance to massive organ pipes of a church or the fingers of one hand, the exposed by erosion tips of a giant, consisting of gneiss and granite mushroom-shaped plutonic rock body ( batholith ).

Measured on rock samples of the Serra dos Órgãos crystallization times of approximately 570 million years indicate that this rock melts the result of tectonic upheavals of the earth's crust under the last large thermo tectonic event in the genesis of the Atlantic shield, the so-called " Brasiliano - event " against end of the Precambrian are.

Today, these rock formations mountaineers from around the world offer excellent climbing and hiking opportunities. The south-west wall of the Pedra do Sino, with the 2,263 m highest point of the Serra dos Órgãos, is considered one of the most difficult climbing routes in Brazil. But there are also numerous trekking - options, such as the classic 30 km long " Travessia " from Petrópolis after Teresópolis. Takes you right through the Serra dos Órgãos. However, the commission must be coordinated with the management of the National Park, as this way for the normal audience is closed. Up to 1,800 m the lush vegetation of the Atlantic rainforest mountain ranges up ( Mata Atlântica ), above which a nearly vegetation-free zone in which there is no protection against wind and weather, and where the temperatures drop at night sensitive begins.

For visits to the waterfalls, the southern summer is, mountaineering makes one better in the dry winter. The flora and fauna of the national park is impressive. There are still wild cats, snakes and many species of rare birds like the jungle: Papagaio -de- peito - roxo, Bicudo, jacutinga and Araçaris.

The highest mountains include:

• Dedo de Deus ( 1,692 m) Dedo de Deus - Finger of God
• Escalavrado ( 1,300 m)
• Dedo de Nossa Senhora ( 1,320 m)
• Nariz do Frade ( 1,980 m)
• Pedra do Papudo ( 2,234 m)
• Pedra do Açu ( 2,236 m)
• Pedra do Sino ( 2,275 m)

At the park entrance on the outskirts of Teresópolis, the Museu Martius, which was founded in honor of the German botanist and scientist Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius.