Welcome to Blumenau, perhaps the most German town in Brazil.
Every year Mike and I drive about 2 hours to the Itajai-Acu Valley to visit my brother and his family. Three of our nephews and nieces live in this city colonized by Germans that preserves its European roots to this day. This town is located in the south of Brazil, an area heavily colonized by Europeans (mainly Portuguese, Germans and Italians).
One of the most famous building is the new City Hall, built in 1982.
It is really hard to believe. In fact, a few days ago we met a German boy in Florianopolis and he was saying how bizzare it is to hear that this part of Brazil is so proud to keep its German traditions. He was planning a trip to Blumenau to see with his own eyes.
But here is a bit of this town that received the first immigrants in 1850 and since then has been reference of the Germanic culture in Brazil.
The Itajai Acu River cuts the town and it is a threat every time there are torrential rains.
The city has been castigated by many floods because of its geography.
Another very famous building is Moellman´s Castle (now Havan store), a replica of the city hall of the German town of Michelstadt. It was inaugurated in 1978.
This is Rua 15 de November (November 15th Street), the main shopping area downtown.
My nephew Rodrigo and I being tourists.
Blumenau has the second largest Oktoberfest in the world, or at least they claim it.
The German old architecture is everywhere.
The main economy here is still the textile industry.
It is really hard to believe. In fact, a few days ago we met a German boy in Florianopolis and he was saying how bizzare it is to hear that this part of Brazil is so proud to keep its German traditions. He was planning a trip to Blumenau to see with his own eyes.But here is a bit of this town that received the first immigrants in 1850 and since then has been reference of the Germanic culture in Brazil.
The Itajai Acu River cuts the town and it is a threat every time there are torrential rains.The city has been castigated by many floods because of its geography.
Another very famous building is Moellman´s Castle (now Havan store), a replica of the city hall of the German town of Michelstadt. It was inaugurated in 1978.
This is Rua 15 de November (November 15th Street), the main shopping area downtown. Behide it, the major church was opened in 1956, and rebuilt in 1963 with it´s bell tower.
My nephew Rodrigo and I being tourists.Kids there still call their grandparents "Opa" and "Oma" and people speak with a German accent.
The German language is still taught in schools as a second language.
Blumenau has the second largest Oktoberfest in the world, or at least they claim it.Although they try really hard to keep the German traditions, it is not easy to keep the party 100% German. So, some may question how German this Brazilian Oktoberfest really is.
I have been to many of them, and I can garantee: it is a lot of fun!
Prost!!!
The Carlos Gomes Theatre, the main theatre in town, was opened to the public in 1939.
The Carlos Gomes Theatre, the main theatre in town, was opened to the public in 1939.
The German old architecture is everywhere.
The main economy here is still the textile industry. Blumenau is home to many manufactors like Hering, Teka and Karsten.
The textile culture is also a German immigration´s heritage.
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