São Joaquim: Tropeiro History and Araucaria Trees

São Joaquim has many facets: monuments and museums tell the story of the town, araucaria trees and winter ice formations offer other impressions, and vineyards set the scene for wine tastings and picnics. When choosing a vacation rental, consider which of these themes will shape your trip.

Culture and History in Town

The Monumento Manoel Joaquim Pinto stands in Praça João Ribeiro, beside City Hall. It presents the history of the municipality and offers interactive, educational information on historical and geographical topics. This includes the saga of the Tropeiros, who opened up this area. The presentation is intended for locals and tourists alike. The monument was designed and built by sculptor Elson Kiotaka Outuky, who has since passed away. Its 230-square-meter area is divided into three parts. In 2020, the monument marked the 20th anniversary of its inauguration.

Praça João Ribeiro, formerly known as Jardim da Igreja, has paved paths, flower beds, and an acoustic shell for local events. The seasons also shape the square: on the coldest days, the small lake and its fountain freeze; in winter, trees there also turn into ice sculptures. Public life in the square and a striking winter scene come together here.

The Museu Histórico Assis Chateaubriand looks back on the history of São Joaquim and recounts Assis Chateaubriand’s stay in the city after he “fled” from Florianópolis. If you plan to visit, check the current opening hours in advance. The Igreja Matriz de São Joaquim offers another perspective on local history: it was built entirely from Pedra Ferro, a basalt found in abundance in the region that is difficult to work with.

Araucaria Trees and Winter Landscapes

Mirante dos Pinheiros is surrounded by araucaria trees, the characteristic trees of the Serra Catarinense. They can reach heights of up to 50 meters. Together with the winter ice formations in the square, this offers another view of São Joaquim: the landscape is shaped not only by its plant life, but also by the cold days.

Wine Country and Experiences

The five hectares of vineyards at Vinícola Leone di Venezia are set in the landscape of Morro Agudo and Vale do Rio Antonina. They lie at an altitude of 1,280 meters. These landscape features and the elevation give winegrowing here a distinct local setting.

At Vinhedos do Monte Agudo, the Sunset experience includes a wine tasting hosted by a sommelier, an oenologist, or the winery’s owner. It also includes information about the history and interesting details about the family, the winery, and the vineyards. A wine picnic outdoors is also available. The tasting and picnic are two different ways to make wine and the landscape the focus of an outing.

Another activity takes you to the Trilha da Maior Araucária do Brasil at Fazenda Pinheirão. Visits take place as quad bike tours at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m., by prior appointment. Check availability before your trip and factor the appointment into your day’s plans.

Choose a Vacation Rental That Fits Your Plans

The experiences offer different highlights: the monument and museum explore history, the wine experiences combine a tasting or picnic with insights into vineyards, and the quad bike tour has fixed time slots and requires an appointment in advance. Before looking for a vacation rental, consider which activities and daily schedule matter most to you. Comparing the specific accommodation addresses with the places you plan to visit can help you find a suitable base for your trip.

Explore more destinations

Explore more destinations: Itá, Vargem Bonita, Mafra, Turvo, Imbituba, Garuva, Pingador, Concórdia.

For the broader travel overview: Santa Catarina.