History of Rio Grande do Sul
The history of Rio Grande do Sul begins with the arrival of Man in the region, around 12,000 years ago. Its most dramatic changes, however, occurred in the last five centuries, after the discovery of Brazil. This most recent period took place amid several external and internal armed conflicts, some of which with great violence.
Dinodontosaurus fossil, Collection of UFRGS.
Petrified tree in the Paleobotanical Garden of Mata.
Chipped stone arrowheads from the Umbu tradition. UFRGS Museum.
Stone sculpture of the Sambaqui tradition, representing a shark, Laboratory for Teaching and Research in Anthropology and Archeology of the Federal University of Pelotas (LEPAARQ-UFPEL)
German colonization in Rio Grande do Sul
The German colonization in Rio Grande do Sul was a large-scale and long-term project of the Brazilian government, motivated initially by the desire to populate the south of Brazil, ensuring the possession of the territory, threatened by Spanish neighbors. In addition, the search for Germans intended to recruit mercenary soldiers to reinforce the Brazilian army. The immigrants would also be important to improve the domestic supply of basic goods, since they would settle on the land as owners of productive small farms. Furthermore, the Germans would help to "whiten" the Brazilian population.
Half-timbered buildings in the Aldeia do Imigrante Park in Nova Petrópolis, a typical construction type of German colonial architecture.
The Hemp Linen Factory House, transformed into the Immigrant House.
The Chapel of Our Lady of Mercy in Hamburgo Velho in 1889.
House from the former Mundo Novo Colony.
