In a nutshell

Itajaí is an unexpected encounter where the river with the same name reaches the Atlantic. There will be a sort of short circuiting: the landscape is that of the exuberant South America, but the European influence is more apparent than ever. In a mix of skyscrapers, architecture styles that do not make a bad impression in the Baden-Württemberg and local markets, prepare to discover a Brazil that is far from cliché.

Main stops

Church of the Blessed Sacrament
Praia Cabeçudas
Public market of Itajaí

The programme

It was the German, Italian and Portuguese populations, who moved here between the 1800s and the 1900s, who shaped Itajaí.
Therefore, you will not be surprised when a Gothic Revival church pops up, complete with spires, pinnacles and rose windows: it is the Church of the Blessed Sacrament. The outside is austere, but the inside is opulent and colorful: it was decorated by two Italian artists, Aldo Locatelli and Emilio Sessa.
Casa Burghardt and Casa Malburg are along the same line: built in the early 1900s, their style is eclectic with Germanic influences.
Come back now to Brazil as you have always imagined it, on the beach of Cabeçudas, the most-loved by the locals: take a souvenir photo with ocean view.
The time has come to go to the public market: just like a real local. Here you can find the works, even some fish and cassava (or manioc) chips and, how about an ice cold “cerveja” (or beer)?
To come full circle: take advantage and bring back to Europe a piece of craftsmanship in wicker or terracotta.

Good to know

On Sundays the Public Market is closed, only outside visit.