Dante Alighieri Square is the oldest and most traditional public square in Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, located in the center of the city. It was included in the colony's floor plan from the beginning of the territory's occupation and was the stage for many important events, having in its surroundings several historical buildings of great importance.
The creation of a square in Caxias do Sul had been planned since the foundation of the Italian colony, in 1875, in the same place where it is today. In its origin, its topography was different, being a much more elevated place than it is now. Until 1880, there are no reports of any improvements; the area was unpaved and the incipient urbanization in the surrounding area advanced over some of its stretches. These structures were removed in 1882 after a change in the urban land use plan was approved, which included the realignment of its delimiting streets. [1] [2]
Soon the urbanization work began, with the construction of some railings for fences and commercial buildings, hotels, and recreational houses in the surroundings, shaping what would be the current Historic Center of Caxias do Sul. Some kiosks were set up in the area of the square to sell drinks and different snacks, as well as, eventually, circuses and groceries, defining itself as a meeting and socializing place for the population. [1]
During the administration of José Pena de Moraes, plans were drawn up for improvements, and the level of the area was lowered after the removal of 1,200 m³ of rocks. The square was gardened, received benches and a fence, a retaining wall on the alignment of Júlio de Castilhos Street, the sidewalks were paved, and the monuments to Júlio de Castilhos, a work by Prosperi, and to Dante Alighieri, a work by the Italian Eugenio Bellotto, were installed. A bandstand was also erected for speeches by authorities and band performances. [1]
In 1917, the square received the Municipal Chalet, a masonry replica of the traditional wooden kiosks, with a bar, restaurant, and game rooms. In 1922, on the centenary of Brazil's Independence, a monument to Liberty was inaugurated, containing a statue by Michelangelo Zambelli and a pedestal by Silvio Toigo. In 1927, more leveling and improvement work began, which lasted until 1940, and included new landscaping with a profusion of rose bushes, the construction of a fountain, and the paving of the alleys with stone mosaics. Meanwhile, on August 27, 1933, in front of the Cathedral, the cornerstone of the monument to the Duke of Caxias was laid. [1] [3]
During World War II, with the wave of xenophobia that spread through Brazil, the name of the square was changed to Rui Barbosa Square, after violent popular demonstrations. In the 1970s, a new fountain was installed and the square was enlarged, absorbing a stretch of Júlio de Castilhos Avenue, which was transformed into a sidewalk. In 1990, the government proposed rehabilitating the memory of Dante Alighieri, restoring the square's old name, which occurred on June 12. In the beginning of the 21st century, the stretch of sidewalk was again opened to vehicular traffic, and the place was completely re-paved. [1]
Due to its antiquity, and for having been the stage of remarkable events in community life since the beginning of colonization, including hosting several of the first Grape Festivals, the square has become full of memories. However, these traditions are quickly being lost in the face of the fast-paced progress that the city is experiencing, as well as receiving a large new population from other regions. [4]
Today, the square preserves a very similar configuration to the one established in the 1940s, but its surroundings, formed by historic buildings, suffered a profound loss of characteristics throughout the 20th century, losing notable constructions such as the old headquarters of the Banco Nacional do Comércio, the Pezzi Hotel, and the first headquarters of the Intendency. In the last decades, its remains have been further decharacterized by arbitrary renovations and by large advertising boards installed on the facades, which hide most of its elements. [5] [6]
However, the City Hall has developed some revitalization programs, such as Caminhos da Memória (English: Memory Paths), which include the square, as well as a legislation that protects buildings that are more than 50 years old. In addition, several properties in the surroundings have been listed as municipal heritage, legislation that minimizes the impacts of visual pollution on the buildings in the Historic Center has been implemented, and slowly, the population seems to be waking up to the importance of preserving the local patrimony, although there is still a lot of work to be done to prevent new disfigurement from occurring, as the ones that recently occurred in the cathedral and in the Canonical House, the two most relevant historic buildings that still survive in the surroundings, but that have not yet been listed as municipal heritage. [7] [5] [8]
The square still preserves several plaques commemorating illustrious citizens of Caxias and important events, as well as the city's marco zero. Other significant buildings in the surroundings are the Scotti House, the Sassi House, and the headquarters of the Clube Juvenil. [1]
Caxias do Sul is a city in Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil, situated in the state's mountainous Serra Gaúcha region. It was established by Italian immigrants on June 20, 1890. Today it is the second largest city in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. In 2020, the population of Caxias do Sul was estimated at 517,451 people, many of whom are of Italian and German descent. The demonym of the citizens of Caxias do Sul is Caxiense.
The Castle of Moinhos, officially known as the Castle of São Cristóvão, or Castle/Fort of São Luís is the name of the ruins of 16th-century fortification in city of Angra, on the Portuguese island of Terceira in the archipelago of the Azores. It is primarily known as the Castle of Moinhos, owing to the popular name given to the site for the number of mills that dotted the hilltop, on which the castle was erected.
Júlio Prates de Castilhos was a Brazilian journalist and politician, having been elected Patriarch of Rio Grande do Sul.
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The Fort of the Caninas, is a medieval fort situated in the Portugueses civil parish of Porto Judeu, municipality of Angra do Heroísmo, in the archipelago Azores.
Fort of the Cavalas is a fort situated in the civil parish of São Sebastião in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo, in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.
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The history of Caxias do Sul, one of the main municipalities in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, officially begins with the Italian colonization of the region, which started in 1875. However, indigenous tribes had lived there since ancient times, but were displaced to make way for the European settlers. The beginning of the settlement was difficult, being an area of thick virgin forest. However, quickly the forest was opened up and the first crops and livestock began to bear fruit. In 1890 trade was already flourishing and industries started to multiply. The primitive village, at the time a district of São Sebastião do Caí, was already showing signs of self-sufficiency enough to be emancipated, becoming a village governed by a provisional Council, and soon by a Municipal council and an Intendancy.
The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Porto Alegre, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
The Municipal Museum of Caxias do Sul is a Brazilian historical, artistic, and ethnographic museum, located at 586 Visconde de Pelotas Street, in Caxias do Sul, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.
The Historic Center of Caxias do Sul is a Special Sector of the city contemplated in its General Plan and regulated by specific legislation. It comprises the region that was first urbanized, located around the Dante Alighieri square and limited by the streets Os 18 do Forte, Bento Gonçalves, Alfredo Chaves, and Moreira César. The Historic Center has been the vital core of Caxias do Sul since its origin and has undergone profound changes since the early days, but it still preserves its original urban layout and a number of buildings of great architectural and historical interest. However, it has suffered from frequent traffic jams and the degradation of some stretches.
The João Spadari Adami Municipal Historical Archive is a cultural institution in Caxias do Sul, Brazil. It has a large collection of documents, photographs, films, recordings, newspapers, and other materials, mostly related to the Italian colonization in the region and to the history of Caxias do Sul, whose value and extent place the institution as an important reference in the state.
Júlio de Castilhos Avenue is the oldest street in the Brazilian city of Caxias do Sul. Its route incorporated an old indigenous path, and until the first decades of the 20th century, it was nothing more than an unpaved road, even though it was the city's main street from the beginning. Later, it was extended, urbanized and ornamented, remaining with a straight line, with the exception of its end. Its current limits are the Getúlio Vargas Square, in front of the National Monument to the Immigrant, to the east, in Petrópolis neighborhood, and the junction with Rubem Bento Alves Avenue, to the west, in Cinquentenário neighborhood. Its evolution is intertwined with the history of Caxias, whose urban center remains as the main point of the city, and still holds several architectural examples of interest.
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Praça Marechal Deodoro, better known as Praça da Matriz, is a historic square in the city of Porto Alegre, the capital of the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. It is located in the heart of the city, in the Historic Center, and has existed since the early days of the capital. It is listed by the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage.
The Zambelli Family was formed by Italian-Brazilian artists who lived in Caxias do Sul and dedicated especially to sacred statuary and decoration of temples and residences. The Zambelli became well-known in the Italian-settled region of Rio Grande do Sul, founding a popular and long-lasting artistic tradition.
Recreio da Juventude is a club in the Brazilian city of Caxias do Sul. Founded in 1912, it is one of the oldest and most traditional clubs in the city. It has engaged in intense social, cultural, recreational, and sports activities since its foundation; the Esporte Clube Juventude branched out from the club. Currently, the Recreio da Juventude has a social headquarters, a large countryside headquarters with sports and leisure equipment, and remains the owner of the building of the old Central Cinema, which although deactivated since 1990, was one of the main show houses in Caxias, offering cinema, theater, and music. It won several titles in sports and the Central Cinema and the social headquarters building are listed as a heritage site.
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The Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre is a Catholic temple located in the Brazilian city of Caxias do Sul, in Rio Grande do Sul. It has neo-Gothic features and houses several works of art inside, including statuary by Michelangelo Zambelli, a mural painting by Aldo Locatelli and a crypt with a wooden sculptural group carved by Benvenuto Conte depicting the scene of the lamentation of the Dead Christ. It is listed as a heritage site by the City Council.