Vale Europeu – A Piece of Europe in Brazil

When we talk about Santa Catarina, most people immediately think of the famous beaches. Florianópolis alone has over 40 beautiful beaches. But not everyone knows, that inland is one of the most incredible places in Brazil - Vale Europeu. The European Valley is located in the Itajaí Valley, about 170 kilometers from Florianópolis and about 600 kilometers from São Paulo. Blumenau, known worldwide for the Oktoberfest, and Pomerode, considered the most German city in the country, are among the most famous cities in Vale Europeu.
The European Valley of Santa Catarina is a piece of Europe in Brazil. This characteristic is evident in the architecture, cuisine, handicrafts, beautiful gardens, clean streets, polite people, and festivals. The language is also a distinctive feature of this region, which was colonized mainly by Germans and Italians. Even today they keep alive the traditions, customs, and ancient dialects of their native languages. Besides the cultural attractions, the region is also home to many waterfalls and rivers suitable for rafting, abseiling, canyoning, and beautiful hiking trails. This makes Vale Europeu an interesting place for a Brazil trip for many.

Blumenau is the most famous city of Vale Europeu, also because of the famous Oktoberfest. The festival is full of tradition, culture, typical food, music, dance and a lot of beer. Blumenau is home to most of the region's hotels, making it a perfect "headquarters" for a tour of the valley.
The hospitable people, the German culture, and the architecture of the half-timbered houses, such as those on XV de Novembro Street, can still take visitors back in time. The Teatro Carlos Gomes, built in 1860, also impresses with its gardens and architectural splendor. If you are a beer lover, a visit to the Beer Museum is worthwhile. Attractions include the first barrels used for Oktoberfest and an overview of the history of beer. If you prefer to spend time outdoors, be sure to visit Blumenau's parks.

German roots are strong in the city, which receives thousands of visitors every year. The typical German festivals are among the must-sees. Easter is celebrated in Pomerode with a big festival, where the huge decorated egg stands out, but also a visit to the market with its culinary delights should not be missed. Typical German dishes, good beer, and quentão, a kind of Brazilian mulled wine, are eaten and drunk by locals and tourists alike. Another specialty are the chocolates from Nugali, a local factory that makes everything by hand. The chocolates are award-winning and very tasty!
The German architecture is also a highlight, thanks to the small half-timbered houses. Those interested in history can visit the Pomerano Museum, the Zimmermann Museum, or the Carl Weege Immigrant House.

Between Pomerode and Timbó lies the charming Rio dos Cedros with its typical German houses, which can be found especially in the small streets. If you prefer to be in nature, you should not miss the Formosa Waterfall, with its 34 meters one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the region. The way there is not the easiest, but in the company of a guide, it is no problem. The Índio Cave and the Índio Waterfall are also worth a visit. Walking along the Pesque and Pague Andreazza you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city.
Every year, Rio dos Cedros hosts the Festa Trentina on September 7, in honor of the first Italians who colonized the region.

Surrounded by waterfalls and canyons, the small town of Timbó delights not only adventurers but also those who like rural life and want to experience European customs without leaving Brazil. Colonized by Germans and Italians, the town is marked by the Festival of Immigrants, which combines dances, typical food, and crafts from both countries. It is also worth visiting the Parque Ecológico Freymund Germer or climbing the Morro Azul, the highest point of the city.
The green area of the Franz Damm Fair Park, also called the Botanical Garden, is beautiful and has several hiking trails that are easy to follow. By the way, a great place for photos is the Complexo Turístico da Thapyoka, a small weir in the heart of the city.

The Italian colonization is still noticeable in Nova Trento. The small town is known for the Santa Paulina Sanctuary, built in honor of the first Brazilian saint, which is worth a visit. Surrounded by a lot of greenery, the quiet place is recommended for a walk in nature. The wineries of the region are also a highlight. Some even offer guided tours followed by a tasting. This allows you to get to know the history of the place up close.

There are other towns that belong to the European Valley of Santa Catarina and have great attractions, such as Benedito Novo, Canelinha, Doutor Pedrinho, Gaspar, Guabiruba, Ilhota, Indaial, Ituporanga, Jaraguá do Sul, Leoberto Leal, Major Gercino, Navegantes, São João Batista and Tijucas.

A trip along the roads that connect the towns in Vale Europeu is one of the most beautiful you can take in Santa Catarina. In different places, the landscape is crossed by rivers and waterfalls. In many regions, rural estates open their doors to welcome visitors. They offer accommodation, recreational activities such as fishing, horseback riding, and hiking trails, as well as a richly laid table with coffee, organic products, and the sale of homemade goods. Sights definitely include half-timbered houses, mills, water wheels, and chapels.

The hills, valleys, rivers, and waterfalls of Vale Europeu are inviting for trekking, rappelling, canyoning, mountain biking, hang gliding, and paragliding. Another sport that stands out in the region is cycling. The bike paths in the valley are the destination of many bike tourists in Brazil, and here is the first bike path in the country that has been planned and organized only for bicycles. Along the way, the 300-kilometer loop passes by the region's best tourist attractions, such as waterfalls, colonial architecture, and natural attractions. Rio dos Cedros is part of the route and attracts attention with its beautiful lakes surrounded by mountains. Another must-see is the Botuverá Cave, the largest in the south of the country and one of the most beautiful in Latin America.

In Vale Europeu, there are Catholic shrines, chapels, oratories, churches, and caves dedicated to different saints. In Nova Trento alone, there are more than 30 institutions related to the Catholic faith, including the Sanctuary of Santa Paulina, dedicated to the first Brazilian saint. The parish is one of the most visited religious destinations in Brazil. It is also worth visiting the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora de Azambuja in Brusque, the second most important in Santa Catarina, and the Gruta Nossa Senhora de Fátima in Doutor Pedrinho.

Many influences of German and Italian cuisine can still be found in Vale Europeu. The region is known for its variety of sausages, cheeses, dairy products, chocolate, craft beers, cachaças, and wineries. All these delicacies make Vale Europeu a perfect place for gastronomic travel.
In Vale Europeu there is still the tradition of the afternoon coffee, which is an opportunity to socialize, accompanied by delicious bread, cuca, pies, and cakes. At Easter and Christmas, the meetings are accompanied by traditional Christmas cookies and decorated cookies.
The German influences in the cuisine can be found in dishes such as pork knuckles, choucroute garni, apple strudel, jams, and jellies. Italian cuisine can still be found in various dishes such as polenta, different types of pasta, smoked trout, and wines.

The calendar of the European Valley is full of festivals. Almost all the municipalities of the European Valley in Santa Catarina have great events planned during the year. In Pomerode, Festa Pomerana takes place in January and a great Easter festival in March or April. In June, Anima Italia takes place in Rio do Sul and Festitália in Blumenau. In the city of Rodeio you can visit Festa La Sagra in August or participate in Festa Incanto Trentino in Nova Trento. The Festa Trentina of Rio dos Cedros takes place in September. Christmas traditions are also maintained in Brazil, so the Christmas market in Ibriama is not to be missed here either.
But the most exciting month is October. In Brusque the Fenarreco takes place, in Timbó the Festa do Imigrante and in Rio do Sul the Skittles Festival. But the most famous event remains the Oktoberfest in Blumenau. In 1984, the first Oktoberfest was held in Blumenau, Brazil, and today it can boast of being the second largest Oktoberfest in the world, receiving over 500,000 visitors annually. Of course, Brazil also includes lots of music, dancing, traditional cuisine, and plenty of good beer.

As you can see, there is much more to experience in the south of Brazil than just beautiful beaches. Perhaps you will also discover the interior of Brazil in more detail during your next Brazil vacation.

Sources: www.circuitovaleeuropeu.com.br, www.turismo.sc.gov.br, www.wikipedia.org