Capivari

Capivari tells its story in a variety of places: construction of the Igreja Matriz de São João Batista began in 1842, while the railway station welcomed passengers and goods for many decades. Squares, historic buildings, and local traditions also shape the city’s character. If you would like to focus on culture and local history during your trip, you will find several starting points here.

Architectural history at the church and manor house

Construction of the Igreja Matriz de São João Batista began in 1842. It replaced the city’s first chapel, founded around 1820. Its history therefore brings together two early stages of religious construction in Capivari: the founding of the chapel and the start of the later church. The Casarão do Barão de Almeida Lima adds another perspective on the city’s architectural history. Construction of the manor house also began in 1842. In 1975, the Conselho de Defesa do Patrimônio Histórico Arqueológico, Artístico e Turístico (Condephaat) of the São Paulo State Department of Culture designated the Casarão a protected historic heritage site.

The railway station and its changing appearance

From 1875 to 1980, Estação Ferroviária de Capivari served as an arrival and departure point for passengers and goods traveling across the state by train. Railways are therefore an important chapter in the city’s history. The current station building was constructed in 1918, based on a design by Cândido Motta Filho. The building was altered over the years, and Ferrovia Paulista S/A (Fepasa) removed the tracks in the 1990s. If historic buildings interest you, it is worth distinguishing between these dates: they refer to railway operations, the current building, and the tracks that were removed later.

Squares with fountains, a bandstand, and an obelisk

Praças Rodrigues de Abreu and Dr. Cesário Motta feature two fountains, a bandstand, and a raised platform with an obelisk. The obelisk was inaugurated in 1932 to mark the centenary of the city’s founding. The squares thus bring together several distinct features of public space, and their history is not limited to a single monument. They also house herms of Amadeu Amaral, Tarsila do Amaral, and Rodrigues de Abreu. The herm of Amadeu Amaral was created by Victor Brecheret, the one of Tarsila do Amaral by Pandolfo, and the one of Rodrigues de Abreu by Tarsila do Amaral. According to the municipal description, the three people depicted are among Capivari’s most important artists. The squares are rich in vegetation and are considered among the most beautiful landscapes in Capivari.

Local traditions and cultural heritage

Cultural traditions are also part of Capivari’s character. The “Guaiá do Batuque de Umbigada” group keeps alive the tradition of this dance of African origin. Capivari is also one of the municipalities that play a major role in preserving the tradition of Caiumba paulista. Another part of the story concerns the area known as “Sítio Santa Rita” along Rodovia Jornalista Francisco Aguirre Proença (SP-301). Surrounded by sugarcane fields, the area is home to descendants of enslaved people. In April 2004, Itesp (Fundação Instituto de Terras do Estado de São Paulo) recognized it as Quilombola land. This history broadens the perspective beyond buildings and squares to include the cultural heritage and history of the people who live there.

Choose Capivari as your destination

When deciding on your trip, you can consider which of these topics interests you most: the architectural history of the church and Casarão, the railway station’s changing use, the design of the squares, or the traditions that have been kept alive. A vacation rental in Capivari is a suitable option if you want to make the city itself your travel destination. Whether you plan your stay around historic sites or local traditions depends on your interests. The stories described here offer different perspectives on Capivari without needing to be combined into a single walking tour.

More places to discover: Rifaina, Lupércio, Cesário Lange, Dois Córregos, Sales, Santa Branca, Lins, Porto Ferreira.

For the broader travel overview: São Paulo.