The word heritage (or patrimônio in Portuguese) comes from the Latin “patrimonium”, a combination of the words pater (father) and monium (a suffix indicating condition, state, or action). This etymology reveals the term's connection to the concept of inheritance—that which is passed down from generation to generation.
Once understood as an individual and private concept, over time – more precisely during the interwar period –, the concept of heritage acquired a broader scope, eventually being applied to various fields.
In history and architecture, heritage is divided into two categories: tangible and intangible. Together, they represent the identity, culture, and history of a people. According to Brazilian law, Cultural Heritage is defined as:
