South view of Curitiba from the observatory

Finishing the views of the districts of Curitiba from the observatory, the south view shows the following districts: Agua Verde, Batel, Bigorrilho and Vila Izabel.

The algae that used to give a greenish tinge to fresh water, took the ancient inhabitants of the region to name the river that cut their farms the name "Água Verde“ (Green Water).The first name of the region, "Colonia Dantas”, was due to the fact that there resides in the last century, many Italian families.

There are two versions for the origin of the name of the neighborhood Batel: the first is linked to the fact that a family known for Batel resides on that region. The other version dates back to a traditional religious festival, where once, a small boat (Batel) sunk.

The term that most closely matches the name of this district is Bigorrilha due to the owner of a brothel. The everyday language of the residents have "masculinized" the term, arising the Bigorrilho name. Some argues that the district was named Bigorrilho due to a Ukrainian called Bigorela.

Vila Izabel district was previously formed by an extensive forest that was frequented by hunters and fishermen. Over time, the inhabitants transformed the forest in a large crop of corn, beans, rice and other cereals. The business conducted by travelers has caused a significant development of this neighborhood.

Southwest view of Curitiba from the observatory

At this direction, the observatory gives us the view of the following districts: Campina do Siqueira, Campo Comprido, Mossungue and Seminario.

The name of the district Campina do Siqueira is the result of combining two distinct historical facts, that the time undertook to relate. Campina (meadow), depicts the geographical aspect of the region from which stretched a beautiful plain covered by vegetation. The second part of the name comes from Antonio Sebastião Siqueira, a Portuguese immigrant who arrived here in the early nineteenth century.

The origins of the Campo Comprido brings us back to the time of the Portuguese empire allotments. The lands of the current quarter would be included in the former allotment of Baltazar Carrasco dos Reis, 29 June 1661. The occupation of the region is subject to the creation of the neighboring colonies of Orleans, Santo Inácio, Dom Augusto, Rivière and Dom Pedro, in 1876.

The Mossunguê as well as their neighborhoods - Campina do Siqueira, Orleans, Campo Comprido, Santo Inácio and Bigorrilho - came along the old path of Mato Grosso (current BR-277). The intense mineral exploration along this road contributed to the establishment of numerous warehouses, which served as warehouses for travelers, drovers and the first residents of the region, the first families who came from Italy.

The name Seminário (seminar) has its origin in the fact of there being located the old Boarding School Seminar, whose cornerstone was laid in 1877 with the presence of Bishop José de Camargo Barros, now called College Paranaense.

West view of Curitiba from the observatory

In the west of the observatory, we can see the districts of Cascatinha, Orleans, Santo Inácio and São Braz.

At the end of the last century, Italian immigrants landed on the coast and, a year later, reached the plateau of Curitiba. The region where today is the Cascatinha neighborhood was part of the Santa Felicidade Colony and thus also was occupied by Italian immigrants from the end of the century. The name derives from an accident of geography at the site and a small waterfall (Cascatinha) on a tributary of the Barigui river. Local residents used to visit the region, on which was installed in 1952, the Cascatinha restaurant, considered the oldest still in operation.

The Colony Orleans was created in December 1875, with 65 lots along the highway Mato Grosso (today BR-277). The first Polish immigrants, Prussian and Galician, in greater numbers, were the initial population of 249 people, divided into 63 families. In the area also settled in Italian, French, German and English. The emancipation occurred on November 10th, 1878 and its name was given in honor of Prince Luis Felipe de Orleans, Count D `I, husband of Princess Izabel. In 1880, the colony was visited by Emperor Dom Pedro II.

The neighborhood derives from the Santo Inácio Colony, which was established in 1876 during the administration of then President of the Province Adolpho Lamenha Lins. In its 70 lots, were established Polish immigrants, Silesian and Galician. In 1880, a report from the province stated that the population was 334 inhabitants. The settlers were engaged in cutting wood, taking advantage of the forests of their plots. Eleven years later, the colony dedicated itself to grow potatoes, corn, beans, peas, oats, barley and wheat.

The Sao Braz district received this name due to the great devotion of its residents to this Saint. Its history is intertwined with the history of the Orleans district, for having the same characteristics and their populations, the same rural lifestyle. The cultivation of cereals and production of pigs and cattle were the main activities developed by the families occupying the only four large farms in the region. So it was mid-1970, when the farms began to be divided into plots, changing the character of the agricultural colony to integrate into the urban fabric in expansion.

Southeast view of Curitiba from the observatory

The view of Curitiba from the observatory is very beautiful and from the top of its 110 meters, you can enjoy Curitiba in 306 degrees. Shooting from up there is a little tricky because it is impossible to avoid the reflection of glass. So, I ask your understanding for this difficulty.

I'll post from today, a series of pictures taken from the observatory in the direction of 8 cardinal points.

The southeast picture shows the following districts: Downtown, Jardim Botânico, Prado Velho and Rebouças. Here some information of these neighborhoods.

Downtown: Around the small chapel of Nossa Senhora da Luz e Bom Jesus dos Pinhais a village was founded which is now called Curitiba. There are 105 bank agencies, 4848 commercial houses, 12 flats, 68 hotels, 669 industries, 555 restaurants, 4 shopping malls and the total population is 32,623 inhabitants.

Jardim Botanico: Its main attraction, as you can tell by the name, is the Jardim Botânico (Botanical Garden), one of the most visited tourist attractions of Curitiba. It is also houses one of the campuses of the Federal University of Parana and the Stadium Durival Britto e Silva.

Prado Velho is the neighborhood in which the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná is located and also a large slum called Vila das Torres. The word comes from the Latin meadow pratum and means a flat, plain or plain.

Rebouças is a middle-class neighborhood of Curitiba. The name is a tribute to the brothers and engineers Rebouças Antônio Pereira Filho and André Rebouças who built the railroad that connects Curitiba to Paranagua. At this district we will find the old mill that was purchased by the Municipality of Curitiba and transformed into the headquarters of the Cultural Foundation of Curitiba.