Arroio dos Ratos: The History of Coal Mining

In Arroio dos Ratos, the history of coal mining offers a distinctive cultural perspective: the Museu Estadual do Carvão is dedicated to mining and miners, while the Hospital Sarmento Leite tells the story of the coal region’s development. Travellers interested in history will find several different points of interest here—from preserving the history of mining to the history of a hospital.

Coal Mining in Focus

The Museu Estadual do Carvão was founded in 1986 to preserve the history of coal mining and the miners. Its focus is therefore clearly defined: it covers both the mining itself and the people whose lives were connected with working in the mines. This dual focus makes the museum a fitting starting point for exploring the region’s history. From 1924 to 1956, Brazil’s first thermal power plant stood on the site. This historic use adds another facet of industrial history to the story of coal mining. Both aspects are part of the site’s history, but they have different emphases: mining and miners on the one hand, and its former use as the site of a thermal power plant on the other.

Festcarbo also connects the museum with the cultural life of the coal region. The 14th edition of this theatre festival took place from 12 to 17 August 2019, with performances at the Museu Estadual do Carvão in Arroio dos Ratos. This offers a clearly dated example of the connection between theatre and the town. When planning your trip, it is important to understand that this was a past edition: it describes the festival in August 2019, not a programme scheduled for the future.

The History of the Hospital Sarmento Leite

The Hospital Sarmento Leite offers a different historical perspective. Its original building section was a general office of the Companhia Estrada de Ferro e Minas de São Jerônimo (CEFMSJ), built in the mid-1890s. The office was later converted into the hospital’s first block. The building’s history thus reflects a change in function: the company’s office was followed by its use as part of a hospital.

The Hospital Sarmento Leite opened on 16 August 1942 and was the first hospital in the coal region. It is described as a cultural heritage site of the Baixo Jacuí coal region in Rio Grande do Sul. Those interested in regional history can therefore include it in their exploration of Arroio dos Ratos as a complement to the museum’s mining history.

Getting There and Choosing a Travel Theme

Arroio dos Ratos can be reached via the BR 116 and BR 290 highways. If you’re looking for a holiday rental for a culturally focused stay, these highways provide a practical starting point for planning your journey. You can choose a travel theme based on the historical highlights: the Museu Estadual do Carvão represents the history of coal mining and miners, while the Hospital Sarmento Leite represents the history of a hospital in the coal region. Before looking for accommodation, you can consider which aspect interests you most, without treating the two places as part of a single programme.

More places to discover: Santa Vitória do Palmar, Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande, Igrejinha, Cambará do Sul, Itati, Protásio Alves and Feliz.

For the broader travel overview: Rio Grande Do Sul.