Gramado: Olive Groves, Culture and Unique Discoveries

Gramado brings together scenic experiences and stories reflected in its gardens, museums and distinctive buildings. At Olivas de Gramado, more than 12,000 olive trees of six varieties grow. The grove is located on a canyon in Linha Nova, in the city’s interior and surrounded by Atlantic Forest. Visitors can learn about the olive oil production process and sample different olive oils with guidance from an expert. If you particularly value these insights into local products, you can make a point of including them when planning a trip to Gramado.

Landscape and Plants in Gramado

The olive grove is a concrete point of reference for anyone who wants to explore Gramado through more than its cultural sites. Another scenic view can be found at Belvedere – Vale do Quilombo: from this viewpoint, visitors can see a landscape in various shades of green; it is located at an elevation of 85 metres. There is also a distinctive facet to the theme of gardens and plants: Praça das Rosas is planted with hundreds of rose bushes. Together, these places showcase different aspects of the landscape, from the olive grove in Linha Nova, surrounded by rainforest, to the roses of Praça das Rosas.

Architecture, History and Cultural Identity

At Praça das Etnias, the architecture reflects the German, Portuguese and Italian cultures that colonised Gramado. Complementing this historical perspective on their influence is the Italian House on the square: it preserves an extensive collection on the history of Italian-descended families who colonised Gramado. The building was originally constructed in the Várzea Grande neighbourhood and was later moved to its present location. The Portuguese House is a non-profit cultural centre dedicated to Gramado’s Azorean past and that of the Hortênsias region. It honours the continuity of this vibrant culture and its connection to Gaucho culture and Gramado’s history.

Other places each tell their own story. Palácio dos Festivais occupies a colonial-style building whose façade is decorated with the figure of Kikito. Rótula das Bandeiras symbolically honours Brazil’s states with the flags flown there. Igreja do Relógio was inaugurated on 5 February 1961 and dedicated to the Apostle Paul. Visitors interested in different forms of cultural remembrance can also explore a variety of museum topics: the Tourism Museum presents a collection on the history of Festa das Hortênsias; the Major José Nicoletti Filho Museum presents his story in a dedicated room and through five interactive information panels.

Combining City Life and Visitor Interests

Espaço Cultural Estação Férrea presents Gramado’s past, among other things, through a screening room. Rua Coberta offers a different experience: it hosts events and performances throughout the year and connects Avenida Borges de Medeiros with Rua Garibaldi. Its original name is Rua Madre Verônica. Alongside shops selling chocolate, leather goods, clothing, knitwear and gifts, you’ll find bistros and cafés, as well as other shopping and dining options. Ladeira das Flores, also known as Rua Torta, forms a winding, flower-lined path along a section of Rua Emílio Sorgetz. In this way, Gramado’s museum and cultural stories sit alongside streets and squares, each with its own character.

When choosing a holiday apartment, you can consider which experiences you want to make the focus of your trip. For information about excursions, dining and accommodation, the Central de Informações can help; it is located in central Gramado, at the junction of Avenida Borges de Medeiros and Avenida das Hortênsias. This guidance complements the choice between focusing on scenery and olive oil, cultural history or city life, without requiring every experience to fit into a single kind of visit.

More destinations: Manuel Viana, Encantado, Jaguarão, Floriano Peixoto, Santa Cruz Do Sul, Nova Prata, Caxias Do Sul and Getúlio Vargas.

Return to the main travel overview: Rio Grande Do Sul.