Palacete Wolf

The Palacete Wolf was built in 1867 under request of the Austrian Joseph Wolf and his son Fredolin. The Wolf family never lived at this house, that housed along the time a Mason Lodge, an art school, the headquarters of the Police Corps during the Federalist Revolution and the prefecture of Curitiba in 1912/13. Became a residence during the decade of 1950 and Braun Bookstore between 1958 and early '70s, when the city bought the house.

Restored, it became in 1975 the headquarter of the Cultural Foundation of Curitiba (which has moved to the Moinho Rebouças recently). Nowadays it is a space dedicated to literature and reading. Located at Garibaldi Square, in the historic disctrict of Curitiba, it is the home to the traditional Dario Vellozo Bookstore, the Poet fair, and offers creative writing workshops, seminars and literature courses.

Freddo Gelateria

The Freddo Gelateria was choosen for 5 years the best icecream shop in Curitiba. Well, it certainly deserves that. There are 60 different flavors and it is hand made with italian products and fresh fruits.

During weekends it is crowded and it is one of the best atractions at Batel Soho.

Prefecture of Curitiba

The current headquarters of the Curitiba Prefecture in the Civic Center, was designed by Rubens Meister to replace the old one at Generoso Marques square (The Paço da Liberdade).

Inaugurated on November 14th, 1969, joined the Prefecture of Curitiba to the Civic Center complex.

Some technical data of Curitiba:

Area: 430.9 km²

Population: 1,797,408 (estimate IBGE/2007)

Disctricts: 75

Green area per capita: 51 m²

North-South Extension: 35 km

East-West Extension: 20 km

Average Altitude: 934.6 m

Latitude: 25 º 25'48''South

Longitude: 49 º 16'15''West

Climate: Temperate

Rainfall: 1500 mm / year

Average temperature (summer): 21 º C

Average temperature (winter): 13 º C

ACTION!!

It is not so common, but is no longer impossible to see some kind of recording on the streets of Curitiba. The most common to be witnessed is the recording of TV commercials.

These guys look like art students doing their homework. They were shooting on Vicente Machado street, during rush hour, near the corner of Visconde de Nacar.

Ground Zero of Curitiba

At Tiradentes Square the Ground Zero of Curitiba can be found. From this point are taken all the distances from Curitiba.

Near Ground Zero, we can find the reference level of Curitiba and the monolith that records the location of the Pelourinho, raised by Gabriel de Lara, with the Cross of Malta, which meant at that time, the legally constitution of the Portuguese government, justice and characterization of the village of Curitiba.

Delio's Cantina

Today I had lunch with my son at Delio's Cantina that is located at Alto da XV Disctrict. I had a nice Fiorentina Steak and he had a Garlic Fettuccine. Both perfect!

This is a very casual restaurant, tastefully decorated (with curios objects hanging on the ceiling and walls), the service is above average (they are really concerned with customer's satisfaction), the food is VERY good and the price is fair.

The owner of the Delio's Cantina, also owns the Bella Banoffi confectionery across the street and the Cana Benta Bar (on the same block), they form a triplet that values the Alto da XV disctrict as a good gastronomic choice in Curitiba.

Positivo Theater

The Positivo Theater - Grand Auditorium - has 2,400 seats and it is the largest theater of Curitiba.

Its design was inspired by the Greek theater of Epidaurus, dating from the fourth century BC The art and philosophy of ancient Greece created the foundations of Western civilization, so the architecture of the theater is a tribute to the history of knowledge, from the Presocratics to the postmodern.

The new theater has the same characteristics that made the Greek theater of Epidaurus world-famous, ie, allows the viewer perfect sight and hearing from anywhere in the audience.

http://www.teatropositivo.com.br/

Zelia Duncan show at Positivo Theater

On November 20th, last Friday , took place in Curitiba at Positivo Theater the show that launched the CD "Pelo Sabor do Gesto" of the singer Zelia Duncan.

The show was very good and her voice is amazing. I ended up buying the CD that was for sale in the lobby of the theater and I really liked it. It is said to be the best work of her career.

Curitiba's Flower Street Characters 6

To conclude this series of characters that we meet on Flower street, or the "Calçadão", or simply to XV, I will focus on the most important characters of all: the ordinary people who pass through the most fantastic place in Curitiba every day (or sometimes) for any reason: working, headind school, sightseeing or tourism. They are (or we are) the real atraction of this street. At Flower street, Curitiba happens, Curitiba lives.

Thanks to my son Diogo, who kindly allowed me to use his picutes in this series.

Curitiba's Flower Street Characters 5

Two snapshots of fun at Flower Street. The first, shows children having fun in a toy specially built for them. I do not know if it still happens, but usually on Saturdays, a large roll of paper is open on the sidewalk and a lot of ink and brushes are distribuited to any passing kid that wants to paint whatever comes to their mind.

In the second photo, a "friend" is shown applying a practical joke on his asleep friends.

Curitiba's Flower Street Characters 4

Nowadays few are the opportunities that I have to walk down the Flower street. There was a time that daily I used to pass by The Boca Maldita and I still remember some characters. Like the one that used to jump through a tight circle of knives. Or the one who used to ask his poor assistant to support within his lips a cigarette or a small sheet of paper that was thoroughly shredded by a whip.

The photos show a capoeira circle and the dancers showing their skills.

Curitiba's Flower Street Characters 3

With all these distractions at the Flower street, we will certainly find those who, just like in the pictures above, are there only to look at the scenery, people and events.

Sitting on a bench, sitting in a box on the floor, anchored on the walls of the cafes or wherever it may be possible, the important thing is to secure your place and enjoy.

Curitiba's Flower Street Characters 2

The cultural menu at the Flower Street is quite varied. In any corner where a ring of people is made, in the center you will find an artist who came to Curitiba to disclose his art.

In the first picture, we will find a guy whose music in Brazil is called "Repente". He takes a theme (or people around may suggest one) and he does the lyrics and the music instantly (usually is funny).

The second guy is Plá, a mad-style singer very well known in the streets of Curitiba.

Curitiba's Flower Street Characters 1

The Flower Street (Rua das Flores) is a special place to walk in Curitiba. In addition to its historical value, comfort for pedestrians due to the car traffic prohibition and the variety of trade, the people and situations that suddenly arise are very interesting.

I will start a new series with the characters that can be found on its sidewalk. The photos were taken with my camera, but the photographer of this series is my son, Diogo. In one single day he captured all these candid photos. Imagine what can be seen by those who passes by every day. It is a stage in open air.

In the first picture we will find one of the many musicians who use the Flower Street as their stage. He is from Peru or Colombia and he is playing their typical music.

As far as I remember, blind accordion players are a constant at Flower Street and the guy in the second picture is one of them. You would be impressed by their technical quality. I remember one of them that used to play tango very well. It was a pleasure stop by and enjoy the performance.

Batel Soho

Ok! The name can cause temper tantrums, since the Espanha square, which is the center of the event, is not located at Batel district (but at Bigorrilho district) and SoHo means South of Houston Street, a New York district famous for its architecture, culture, food and shopping. But what happens every Saturday around these blocks is pretty cool.

The square receives, with the support of the prefecture of Curitiba and the Merchants Association of the Region of Espanha square, an antiques fair (small but charming) and concerts that range from week to week. Painting for the children; free yoga classes; and many other attractions. All surrounded by good restaurants, shops, chocolate boutiques, coffee shops, bakery and one of the best ice cream in Curitiba. Not to be missed!

EMBAP - School of Music and Fine Arts of Paraná

This 1930 building hosts since 1951 The School of Music and Fine Arts of Paraná, one of the most important schools of fine arts in Brazil, founded in 1948.

Tanguá Park

The Tanguá Park was opened in November 1996. It represents another milestone for the preservation of the River Barigüi, along with the parks Tingui and Barigüi.

It has a total area of 450 thousand m2. The highlights are the two quarries linked by 45 meters long tunnel , which can be crossed on foot by a footbridge over the water. The park also has a jogging track, bicycle, gazebo, snack bar and the Poty Lazzarotto Garden.

Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden is one of the most visited tourist sites in Curitiba. It was inaugurated on October 05, 1991. It occupies an area of 278,000 m², with a greenhouse inspired by Crystal Palace in London, which permanently sets of plants from various points of the Brazilian territory. It also features gardens created in the image of French gardens and trails that cut through the woods, where it can be seen the pine angustifolia, pitangueiras, peach trees and more. There's space for exhibitions, library and auditorium. Currently, the Botanical Museum of Curitiba has the fourth largest herbarium in the country.

On weekends, the lawns of the Botanical Garden are crowded with children playing, couples strolling and people resting under a tree.

Curitiba Tourism Line

The Tourism Line is a special bus route that circulates in the main tourist spots of Curitiba. It makes it possible to know the most important parks, squares and attractions of Curitiba.

Considered one of the best in the country, the Tourism Line runs every thirty minutes, covering about 45 km in about two hours.

The itinerary (check it out in the diagra above) begins at Tiradentes Square, but you can start the path at any point. When buying a set of five tickets, the user is entitled to drop out up to 4 different attractions and get aboard in other bus to continue the route with the same card.

The double decker buses are equipped with sound system to provide recorded information about the visited places in three languages - Portuguese, English and Spanish.

I have already dedicated a post to some of these places and soon I will cover all of them.

Curitiba Memorial

The Memorial of Curitiba has 5,000 m2 and the author of the architectural project is Fernando Popp.

It is a space dedicated to arts, folklore, information, memory, and displays the art of important names such as John Turin, Zaco Paraná, Poty Lazarotto, Elvo Benito Damo, Antonio Maria and Sergio Ferro.

The building is a stylized pine tree, which is the symbol of Parana. Its structure is in iron and it is covered with laminated glass. It has four floors with many rooms for expositions and a rooftop terrace overlooking the surroundings.

The Memorial City or Curitiba was inaugurated on August 15th, 1996 and is located at Rua Claudino dos Santos in the Historical Sector.

Boca Maldita

The Boca Maldita (it is hard to translate, but I would say that it is close to "Accursed Mouth") is a spot at Luiz Xavier avenue, close to Osorio square, established in 1957 and institutionalized on December 13, 1966.

At this place, politicians, intelectuals and people in general (mainly old fellows), stop by for a coffee and talking with friends. It is said to be "accursed" because everything is subject to be severely criticised over there.

Powerful and sexist, The Boca Maldita is famous since the forfeiture of the State Governor Harold Leon Peres in the 70's. This event was due to its members (as it is told in the streets).
Its motto is "I see nothing, I hear nothing, I speak nothing."

The Red House

Built in 1891, the Red House (Casa Vermelha) was commissioned by the German immigrant Wilhelm Peters. The building held firm Burmester-Thon & Company until 1912. Zilli Benjamin bought the house in 1929 and there installed his wholesale trade. In the 70's, the Red House moved to the current address at the Largo da Ordem. It was, for decades, a traditional house in the business of hardware. Since 1993, the space is administered by the Cultural Foundation of Curitiba.

Tiradentes Square as time goes by

The Tiradentes square is the oldest one in town. It was originally known as Largo da Matriz, which hosts the small chapel around which developed the Village that in the future would be called Curitiba.

At the same site of the old chapel is now the Metropolitan Cathedral of Curitiba. In 1880, when the Emperor's visited Curitiba, the Square changed its name to Largo Dom Pedro II and it again changed its name to Tiradentes Square in 1889 (right after the Republic Proclamation).

The above photos, 55 years apart from each other, show the same angle of Tiradentes Square.

Notice in the foreground of the 1954 photo, the elegantly dressed young man reading a newspaper is my dad, at the time he came to Curitiba in order to attend a course of practice in pharmacy.

Stuart Bar

The current headquarters of the Stuart Bar is the third and date of 1954. It is frequented by poets, artists, journalists, students and old men, longtime customers.

It keeps the same decoration of the place, the wooden tables and red towel, since 1904 - the year of opening. The menu offers a variety of snacks and even today, the most famous is the bull's testicles, an exotic dish in demand introduced in 1973. It pays to know the bohemian tradition in the city and the ice cold beer on the curb of the square.

Barigui Park

The frozen pictures above were taken by Fábio de Castilhos Lima at Barigui last winter.

With 1.4 million square meters, the Barigui park in Curitiba was transformed into a park in 1972. It is one of the largest parks in the city and certainly the most frequented.

Sunday is the special day at Barigüi. On that day people go to the park to play soccer, volleyball, cycling, see shows, play model airplanes or simply to walk and enjoy the scenery.

Cavies, herons, white herons, skunks, thrushes and dozens of other native animals make Barigüi their address. Among these animals, the Barigui's alligators made history, becoming almost an urban legend. Today they are no longer there, because they were collected after an attack on a distracted dog.

The Zaninelli Woods

With an area of 36,794 m2 of native forest, the Zaninelli woods- where can be found one of the largest quarries in Curitiba since 1947 - was turned on June 15, 1992 in municipal area of preservation, being inaugurated by the French researcher Jacques Ives Cousteau.

The native forest around the quarry has Cordia ecalyculata, cinnamomum, Eugenia uniflora and pines. Cavies, owls, possums, water snakes, ducks, swans, thrushes, Rufous and hawks make up the fauna of the place.

The Zaninelli Wodds houses the Free University for the Environment of Curitiba and it is located at Pilarzinho District.