Sightseeing in Curitiba - what to see. Complete travel guide

Curitiba is a charming city that is the capital of the southern Brazilian state of Parana. The name of the city literally means “many pine seeds” if translated from the language of the Tupi people who inhabited this region in the past. This name is not random. The Parana pine is very widespread in the area. There are many other trees besides pines in Curitiba, so no wonder why this is a popular green capital.

The Bandeirantes were the first settlers in the area. They settled here in attempts to find gold. In 1668, Gabriel Lara and seventeen colonists established a new settlement on the site of modern Curitiba. They called it Vila da Nossa Senhora da Luz dos Pinhais (Village of "Our Lady of the Light" of the Pines). Twenty-five years later, the area officially became a settlement at the end of March. This is how March 29 became the official birthday of Curitiba. The settlement was developing slowly because local people were only involved in agriculture. A new occupation – cattle breeding – appeared in this region only at the end of the 18th century. It attracted new people to Curitiba and encouraged them to occupy land in the region.

The town officially changed its name to Curitiba in 1842. Just eleven years later, the settlement became the capital of Parana State that was established in the 19th century. The economy of the region started developing quickly since then. Woodworking industry, mining, and mate cultivation brought revenues to Curitiba. The first railroad in the region appeared in the 80s of the 19th century, finally giving the city access to the sea. As the city’s economy was growing, local authorities paid more attention to the city planning and development of its infrastructure. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Are you searching for a romantic place to visit? In this case, you should visit Tangua Park that is the main recreational area in the city. The opening of this park took place in 1996. There are still two old quarries that are now fully drowned. A tunnel, the length of which is forty-five meters, connects the quarries. Visitors can make a boat ride in the tunnel. Pedestrians can explore the area using special bridges. Locals like Tangua Park and often visit it to meet their friends or spend family weekends away from stress and everyday routine.

If you get to the top of the quarry, you will reach a viewing platform consisting of several levels. This part of the park is the location of charming cafes, beautiful fountains, and flowerbeds. Moreover, there are beautiful manmade waterfalls that look particularly attractive from above. If you happen to visit the park in the evening, you will see gorgeous colorful illumination that makes the waterfalls even more attractive.

In case you like fairytales, then Curitiba has an attraction that you simply cannot miss. This is Bosque Alemao or German Forest Park. This park is dedicated to fairytales of famous Grimm brothers, philosophers, German thinkers, and great composer Johann Sebastian Bach. The park is famous for its historical buildings. For example, there is an old wooden church and an observatory that has a viewing area with striking views of surroundings and gorgeous local sceneries.

German Forest Park frequently hosts various concerts and events. As a rule, they take place in Bach Oratory. Children will find it interesting to visit the park’s library that has much to offer to young fans of fairytales. Besides colorful books that are always available for kids, the library often offers interesting costumed plays based on the fairytales of Grimm brothers. While children are having fun, their parents can admire the beauty of German Forest Park.

The Opera de Arame or the Wire Opera House is one of the most famous attractions in Curitiba. This unusual opera park is open in Parque das Pedreiras. Rocks surround the grandiose building, and numerous flowers make the area even more attractive. There are no similar opera houses anywhere else in the world because the building has glass walls, and metal pipes create a unique wired look.

The opera house opened in 1992. The main hall of the building can provide space for up to two thousand people. The architecture of the transparent building is truly marvelous and unique. All visitors to this theater find it unusual and one-of-a-kind. The road to the theater amazes even experienced tourists. In order to reach the opera theater, you will need to walk on the bridge that has a charming lake underneath. The area is so picturesque that it is easy to spend hours admiring the view. In the opera, visitors can attend talented theatrical performances and opera concerts.

The city has its own airport that is situated approximately eighteen kilometers from the central part of Curitiba. It is possible to fly to Curitiba from Rio. In this case, the flight will take one hour. Flights from Sao Paolo and Foz do Iguaçu are shorter – only forty-five minutes. Besides the airplane, it is possible to reach the city by train or bus.