Lajedo de Pai Mateus and Its Unique Geological Features

The Lajedo de Pai Mateus

The Lajedo de Pai Mateus is a remarkable geological and tourist attraction located in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. This impressive rock formation is characterised by large blocks of stone spread over a vast flat surface of granite.

“Pedra do Capacete”, no Lajedo de Pai Mateus, que representa um tafone elaborado em rocha granítica — “Pedra do Capacete, in the Lajedo de Pai Mateus PB

With its unique beauty, the Lajedo has become a popular destination for tourists wishing to explore its geological features and appreciate the region’s rich cultural heritage. Located in the Cariri region, near the municipality of Cabaceiras, Lajedo is about 200 kilometres from the state capital, João Pessoa.

Video about the Lajedo de Pai Mateus in Paraíba

Lajedo de Pai Mateus na Paraíba - Guia de Turismo03:28

Lajedo de Pai Mateus na Paraíba - Reportagem13:21

1. location

The site is located in the Cariri region, near the municipality of Cabaceiras, approximately 200 kilometres from the state capital of João Pessoa.

2. Geological features

Lajedo de Pai Mateus is an archaeological site with a 1.5 km² rocky outcrop and numerous other boulders. It is noted for its beauty and attracts tourists from all over the country. In the northeast of Brazil, where there is an outcropping crystalline basement, saprolitic landforms are common.

3. Rock genesis and alteration

These features result from the formation of a mantle of chemical alteration in the subsurface, which is removed by subsequent erosion, leaving blocks that are not completely altered. These forms are associated with the past occurrence of wetter tropical climates, or more precisely, the alternation between wetter and drier climates.

Etapas de evolução do relevo saprolítico. 1. Estágio inicial, facilitado por fraturas e alternância de temperaturas altas e mais baixas que implicam em expansão e contração da rocha (termoclastia); 2. Esfoliação da rocha por ação do clima; 3. Rocha alterada; 4. Formação de um manto de alteração; 5. Remoção do manto de alteração; 6. Formação do relevo saprolítico (exumação dos blocos rochosos não completamente alterados). — Stages in the development of the saprolitic relief. 1. initial stage, facilitated by fractures and alternating high and low temperatures that cause the rock to expand and contract (thermoclasis); 2. exfoliation of the rock by the climate; 3. altered rock; 4. formation of a mantle of alteration; 5. removal of the mantle of alteration; 6. formation of saprolitic relief (exhumation of blocks of rock that have not been completely altered).

4. Climatic cycles

Wet climates allow chemical alteration of the rock underground, while drier climates result in the removal of altered material, leaving large blocks of rock protruding into the landscape.

5. Granite morphology

Saprolitic reliefs are formed by the removal of friable debris as a result of alternating cycles of erosion. A good example of the evolution of this type of geoform is the Lajedo de Pai Mateus, a granite relief.

6. Diversity of forms

Lajedo is about 1.5 square kilometres and consists of about a hundred large rounded rock blocks. Internally it has a wide variety of shapes, such as lajedos, matacões, granite balls and tors (rock outcrops that rise abruptly in the middle of a flatter surface).

Lajedo de Pai Mateus PB — Lajedo de Pai Mateus, PB, showing granite relief of the saprolitic type, with slabs, matacões and granite balls.

Geoforma do tipo tor (castle koopies), no Lajedo de Pai Mateus, formado quando o processo de remoção do manto de alteração ocorre antes da completa meteorização (esfoliação) em subsuperfície dos blocos rochosos (saprólitos). — Geoform of the Tor type, in the Lajedo de Pai Mateus, formed when the process of removing the mantle of alteration occurs before the complete weathering (exfoliation) of the rock blocks (saprolites) in the subsurface.

7. Special features

Another type of feature present in the Lajedo are the basal cavities, called tafones, which widen upwards. In addition, the canneluras are shallow vertical grooves created by chemical erosion.

Karrens (aglomeração de caneluras) no Lajedo de Pai Mateus. — Karrens (clusters of grooves) in the Lajedo de Pai Mateus.

When they occur in abundance, they are called karrens and are characterised by well-marked channels arranged parallel from the top to the bottom of the granite block.

8. Formation and development

The development of the saprolitic granite morphology takes place in two stages: chemical alteration at the base of the soil and gradual exposure of the saprolites by erosion.

9. Archaeological importance

In some blocks of the Lajedo de Pai Mateus, rock paintings have been found, attributed to the Cariris Indians, who inhabited the region from the beginning of the Holocene.

10. Toponymy and legends

The local toponymy is attributed to a legend about a hermit healer called Pai Mateus, who lived in the region in the 18th century.

11. Access and Layout

Lajedo de Pai Mateus is located on private land and can be reached by a dirt road from the centre of Cabaceiras.

12 Tourism and Visitors

The geosite represents a series of spectacular granite geoforms and is increasingly visited. After the visit, it is customary to celebrate the geomorphodiversity of the site.

13. Main points and details of the Lajedo de Pai Mateus

13.1 Geological importance

The rock formations are mainly granite, formed over millions of years by natural erosion.

13.2 Historical and Cultural Aspects

The site is known for its cave paintings and the legend of the hermit Pai Mateus.

13.3 Tourism and Activities

Lajedo attracts tourists for photography, hiking and ecotourism.

13.4 Biodiversity

The region is home to unique flora and fauna adapted to arid conditions.

13.5 Access and Infrastructure

Cabaceiras has basic tourist facilities and is accessible by road.

14. Curiosities

The Lajedo was used as a “ceremonial centre or sacred place” by prehistoric indigenous peoples. Its “positive energy” attracts visitors sensitive to mystical experiences.

15. How to get there

The tourist attraction is located 25 km from the centre of Cabaceiras, known as “Roliúde Nordestina”.