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IlhaMuseu Begins Coastal Renaturalization Works
Soon, new piers will be built to provide safer access to the island, and the residential areas will be adapted for the museum structures.
The renaturalization works on the northwestern coast of Ilha das Cabras, which will house IlhaMuseu, began in March. The objective is to reverse the environmental damage caused by the irregular construction of stone and concrete structures on the rocky shore. The continuous impact of the sea and wind has affected the artificial pavement, causing harm to the local marine fauna and flora.
The renaturalization work is expected to be completed in approximately 120 days and will be carried out by a company qualified to comply with strictly environmental and safety regulations. IlhaMuseu is a cultural project developed by UNESCO in Brazil on Ilha das Cabras, located in the municipality of Ilhabela (São Paulo state, Brazil). The island is part of UNESCO’s Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve.
The project aims to keep all demolition materials on Ilha das Cabras, reusing stones, gravel, and debris in the renovation of access points and existing structures for the implementation of IlhaMuseu.
This is the first phase of the construction works, which will continue until 2026. The following steps involve the construction of new piers to provide safer access to the island and the adaptation of residential areas to accommodate the museum structures.
Ilha das Cabras has a surface area of approximately 16,000 m² and currently features a set of buildings totalling 2,300 m².
About the Project
“The concept of the first IlhaMuseu in Ilhabela encompasses not only built and museological spaces on the territory but also its entire surroundings, including marine diversity, natural heritage, artisanal fishing, and the vibrant caiçara culture, among other socio-environmental elements. It is Brazil’s first island museum because its entire territory will serve as a museum space,” explains Isabel de Paula, Coordinator of the Culture Sector at UNESCO Brazil.
Under UNESCO’s coordination, the implementation of IlhaMuseu on Ilha das Cabras, in Ilhabela, on the northern coast of São Paulo, is a partnership with Fundação Florestal, supported by the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office and the São Paulo Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The museum’s main objective is to promote and enhance the cultural and natural heritage of the region and the traditional populations of the Northern Coast of São Paulo. The establishment of a museological institution on an island, integrating the culture and biodiversity of four municipalities in the region (Ilhabela, São Sebastião, Caraguatatuba, and Ubatuba), is an innovative initiative. IlhaMuseu, which will transform Ilha das Cabras into a museum space, seeks to highlight the island’s natural, socio-environmental, cultural, and sociocultural heritage, fostering an ongoing dialogue with all those involved.
