Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
9
DEUTSCH SANTA CATARINA
German immigrants to Santa Catarina started arriving in the 1850s, and by the end of the
nineteenth century complete communities had evolved, with flourishing German cultural
organizations and a varied German-language press. After Brazil's entry into World War II,
restrictions on the use of German were introduced and many German organizations were
proscribed, accused of being Nazi fronts. Later, due to the compulsory use of Portuguese in
schools, the influence of radio and television and an influx of migrants from other parts of
the state to work in the region's rapidly expanding industries, the German language
appeared to be dying in Santa Catarina. As a result, in Joinville and Blumenau - the
region's largest cities - German is now rarely heard. However, in outlying villages and
farming communities such as Pomerode , German remains very much alive, spoken
everywhere but in government o ces.
Recently, too, the German language and Teuto-Brazilian culture have undergone a
renaissance for which the German government has provided financial support. Property
developers are encouraged to heed supposedly traditional German architectural styles ,
resulting in a plethora of buildings that look very incongruous in the Brazilian subtropics. A
more positive development has been the move to protect and restore the houses of the early
settlers, especially those built in the most characteristic local building style, that of enxaimel
(“Fachwerk” in German) - exposed bricks within an exposed timber frame. These houses are
seen throughout the region and concentrated most heavily in the area around Pomerode.
Keen to reap benefits from this new ethnic awareness, local authorities have also initiated
pseudo- German festivals , such as Blumenau's Munich-inspired “Oktoberfest” (see p.594) and
Pomerode's more authentic “Festa Pomerana” (see p.598), both of which have rapidly become
major tourist draws.
Casa da Memória at the entrance provides information (the building was constructed
in 1857 to house the grave diggers).
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
JOINVILLE
By plane The Aeroporto de Joinville-Lauro Carneiro de Loyola
( T 47 3467 1000) lies 13km north of the city, with flights to
Porto Alegre and São Paulo. Take a taxi ( T 47 3467 3337) from
here into the centre (around R$45; 25min).
By bus The rodoviária ( T 47 3433 2991) is 2km southwest
of the city centre, reached in 5min by bus (R$2.80) or in half
an hour on foot by walking down Rua Ministro Calógeras
and then left along Avenida Kubitschek. Taxis should be
around R$12 to the centre from here (meters start at
R$4.64). Left luggage costs R$5 per item per day.
Destinations Blumenau (15 daily; 2hr); Curitiba (hourly;
2hr); Florianópolis (hourly; 2.5hr); Porto Alegre (3 daily;
9hr); Rio (2 daily; 15hr); São Francisco do Sul (hourly; 1hr);
São Paulo (12 daily; 8hr).
INFORMATION
Tourist information Rua XV de Novembro 4305 (daily
8am-8pm; T 0800 643 5015).
Internet Café Vini Cyber, in the basement at Shopping
Mueller (Mon-Fri 9.30am-10pm, Sat 10am-10pm, Sun
2-8pm; R$5/hr; minimum R$1.25 for 15min).
Post o ce Rua Felipe Schmidt 173 (Mon-Fri 9am-6pm).
ACCOMMODATION
Germânia Rua Ministro Calógeras 612 T 47 3433
9886, W hotelgermania.com.br. Excellent hotel that to
all appearances is just another brash tower block, but
which has extremely comfortable a/ c room s, free wi-fi,
helpful staff and very friendly owners. R$290
Joinville Hostel Rua Dona Francisca 1376 Saguaçú
T 47 3424 0844, W joinvillehostel.com.br. The local HI
hostel offers all the usual amenities: hammocks, rental bikes
(R$25/day), comfy dorms and a range of private rooms with
or without bathroom. Wi-fi is R$5/day and internet terminals
are available for R$4/hr. Rates for HI members are given in
brackets. Dorms R$55 (R$45) ; doubles R$120 (R$100)
Príncipe Rua Jerônimo Coelho 27 T 47 3433 4555,
W hprincipe.com.br. Solid budget hotel with simple,
clean rooms (cable TV and free wi-fi), fri endly s taff, central
location and decent breakfast included. R$130
Tannenhof Rua Visconde de Taunay 340 T 47 3433 8011,
W tannenhof.com.br. Large luxury hotel in the guise of a
kitsch Alpine high-rise, with great views and tiny balconies,
spacious rooms with woodem Bavarian touches and cable
TV. There's also free but weak wi-fi. It's n o long er the best
hotel in town, but still the most original. R$250
 
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