Luiz Xavier - The shortest avenue of the world

Luiz Antônio Xavier was born in Curitiba on December 21, 1856. He was the first elected mayor of Curitiba and he was extremely popular and accessible.

Under his administration, Luiz Xavier has endowed Curitiba with paving, gardening and made an important contribution to the development of water services and sanitation. He ordered the alignment of XV de Novembro street and Osorio Square, transforming a moor into an usable and integrated space.

At this spot, the road became wider, thus unintentionally; he had created the shortest avenue in the world. Still in life, Luiz Xavier saw this avenue been named in his honor, but by an act of pure flattery, the name Luiz Xavier was evicted to please the then president Getúlio Vargas, and thus, for almost twenty years, the street was named João Pessoa.

Only after the death of Vargas (in 1954), the road reverts to its original and fair name: Luiz Xavier, but unfortunately, he didn’t witnessed this fact, since he died in 1933.

Source: Book "Ruas e histórias de Curitiba" by Valério Hoerner Júnior. “Artes e Textos” publisher. Curitiba, 2002.

Night view of the Boca Maldita Clock

The photo shows the night vew of the place where Luiz Xavier Avenue meets Osório Square.

This place has always been an important open air stage for major events in Curitiba, both artistic and political, as the historical protest of 50 thousand people on 12 January 1984, launching the “Diretas Já”, a popular movement demanding direct democratic elections, culminating in 1985 with the end of 21 years of military dictatorship in Brazil.

Sunset for 2009

It is sunset for 2009! It is time to think of what you expect from 2010 and what role you have to play to make it happen.

The photo shows the sunset at Luiz Xavier avenue in Curitiba.

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."