Curitiba

The capital of the state of Paraná has become world renowned for its innovative urban solutions and the quality of life enjoyed by its inhabitants. Education and health have been treated as priority services. The transport system is a model for major cities. The green area - 52 m2 per inhabitant - is far in excess of the 16 m2 per inhabitant minimum recommended by the UN. Wide pavements, Rua 24 Horas (24 Hours Street), conservation of the architectural heritage and selective refuse collection have been conceived with the well-being of the population of Curitiba as the starting point.

Curitiba was born in the shade of Paraná pines a little over three hundred years ago. Its name bears its native heritage: kur ity ba, as the Indians used to call the pine-kernels, the fruits of the Paraná pines and the symbolic tree of Paraná. The city came into being when the gold prospectors from the coast travelled up-river to the Serra do Mar arriving at the plains. The first nucleus settled on the banks of the River Atuba in a place called Vilinha. Soon afterwards, the urban centre was transferred to the site of the present Tiradentes Square. It was in this area that the town of Nossa Senhora da Luz do Pinhais had its beginnings, being officially founded on March 29th, 1693. In 1842, the town acquired city status with the name Curitiba, before being elevated to state capital in 1853.

During the course of its history, influenced by interbreeding, the capital of Paraná has managed to harmonize colonial mansions, daring architectural projects as well as nature. Pedreira Paulo Leminski, the location of the ópera de Arame - a theatre seating 1,800 in the stalls and 600 in boxes - and where an open-air stage has a disused stone quarry as a backdrop - is an example of that integration.

Holder of the title of Brazilian city offering the best quality of life, Curitiba is the forerunner in terms of concern for ecology, setting up Brazil's first environmental university, the Free University of the Environment, which runs projects relating to a sustainable economy, conservation of the ecosystem and environmental education. Deep in a native forest covering 37,000 m2, its researchers are highly aware and are influencing the growth of the city, which bases its economy on trade, the provision of services and processing industries, scattered across Curitiba's Industrial City. In addition, the city has one of Brazil's best public transport systems, having exported several of its schemes, such as the Integrated System, which was sold to New York. Curitiba was the first Brazilian city to implement the selective collection of refuse and publicize information on recycling processes.

The well-being of the citizen is the main preoccupation of the city, whose urban expansion is planned so as to avoid stress for its inhabitants. In order for both residents and visitors to enjoy the numerous parks and the city's pure air, the local corporation has organized a special bus service. But the city's trademark is the pine-kernel footprint walk. This is a three kilometre route that can be walked,cycled or travelled along by a special bus running between the city's tourist spots. By following the enormous pine-kernels painted on the ground, the visitor can follow a cultural and historical route that forms part of the Footprints in the Memory projectz leading to churches, historic buildings and squares.

Footprints in the Memory

Footprints in the Memory is a scheme that encourages residents and visitors to Curitiba to follow a historical and cultural route through the city. Curitiba has many historical attractions, including the following:

The Curitiba Minor Basilica Cathedral: situated in Tiradentes Square where the city of Curitiba was born, it was inaugurated in 1893, built in the neo-Gothic style and inspired by Barcelona Cathedral. The original image, dedicated to Our Lady of Light, came from Portugal in 1720 and is now in the Paraná Museum.

The Church of the Third Order of St. Francis of the Wounds: the oldest in Curitiba, built in 1737. It has undergone several changes over the years and has been stripped of its original architectural features in the colonial style. Its present tower is reminiscent of Moorish or neo-Gothic architecture whilst its interior is colonial, with a high altar in gold leaf and Baroque carving from the early 16th century. The image of Christ has hair and glass eyes, typical of the Baroque style. It was registered as historical heritage in 1965.

The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary of St. Benedict: this is the second oldest church in the city and was built by slaves in 1737. It is in Garibaldi Square in the historical district. It too has been rebuilt, losing part of its original style and only the tiled facade remaining, with original tiles taken from the former chapel.

Temple of the Muses: in the classical Greek style, it is the world headquarters of the Neo-Pythagorean Institute, founded in 1909 by the Paraná-born Dario Vellozo. It is dedicated to the study and development of higher faculties, to the altruism inspired in the verses of Pythagoras, namely justice and peace. It has a specialist library and admittance must be authorized.

Museum of Paraná: with neo-classical and art nouveau features, it was inaugurated in 1916 to house the city council which remained there until 1969. In 1964 it was registered by the Historical and Artistic Heritage of Paraná. It features exhibits concerning ethnology, history and hand-written and printed documents.

Romário Martins' House: the second oldest building in the city, after the Church of the Third Order of St. Francis, it was built in the colonial style at the end of the 18th century. Its name is in posthumous homage to the Paraná-born writer and historian. It is used as an art gallery running exhibitions by state artists. It has been a wet and dry warehouse and since 1973 has housed the Memory Warehouse, with an exhibition of photographs telling the story of Italian immigration and the Menonites (an ethnic-religious group formed by Germans-Russians who came to Brazil in 1930).

Relógio das Flores (Clock of Flowers): situated in Garibaldi Square, it measures six metres in diameter and consists of different flowers planted according to the season.

Rua das Flores (Flower Street): the first pedestrian street in Brazil, inaugurated in 1972, with well-tended pots of flowers and bars and confectioners in hundred-year-old buildings and lanchonetes.

Boca Maldita (Cursed Mouth): a pedestrianized area with a large mouth symbolizing the spirit of the place. A platform for political demonstrations, the reciting of poetry and a meeting place for debate, rumour, politics and football.

Rua 24-Horas (24 Hours Street): the first in Brazil with a glass ceiling and iron arch structure. It has a little of everything: restaurants, ice-cream parlours, confectioners, pharmacies and mini-markets. The excitement begins at nightfall when several tables are spread around the area with people enjoying a beer or a glass of hot wine on the coldest nights.

City Parks

Amongst the many parks that ensure Curitiba's greenness and pure air are the following:

Passeio Público - inaugurated in 1886 covering an area of 70,000 km2 of natural forest in the very centre of the city. The main gates are faithful copies of the Dogs' Cemetery in Paris. There is a lake, islands, floating stage, aquarium and grotto as well as several species of tree, including hardwoods such as bignoniacea and oak

Birigui Park - covering an area of 1.4 million m2, this is the city's busiest park. It has a rustic appearance with barbecues, gymnastic equipment, a cycle-cross and miniature aeroplane track.

Botanical Garden - a French garden with a lake covered in victoria-regias and an art nouveau hot-house, a replica of the Crystal Palace that used to stand in London, containing rare plants from all over Brazil.