The Serra Gaúcha ( Gaucho Highlands ) is a cultural region comprising the mountainous areas in the northeastern portion of Rio Grande do Sul state in southern Brazil . Most of its inhabitants are of German and Italian ancestry. Consequently, the cities in the Serra Gaúcha reflect German and Italian influences through their architecture, gastronomy, and culture. Geographically, it is part of the Serra Geral mountain range.
9-778: Several tourist routes run through the most picturesque cities of the Serra Gaúcha, particularly the Rota Romântica , following the tracks of German colonization; the Italian-flavored Caminhos da Colônia ; the wine tasting Rota da Uva e o Vinho ; and the Região das Hortênsias , landscaped with beautiful hydrangeas ( "hortênsias" in Portuguese ). The hot springs in Nova Prata are also one of
18-575: Is a large tourist draw during the winter, where snowfall can occur, and during the Christmas holiday and the local town council deck Canela with lights and other festive decorations. Canela is part of the Rota Romântica or Romantic Route, a scenic bypass. An imitation of the Montparnasse derailment has been built outside the Mundo a Vapor ("Steam World") museum theme park in the city. Canela
27-485: Is a scenic tourist route that runs through 13 municipalities located in the Serra Gaúcha region of the southernmost Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul . The area was first colonized by German immigrants in the first half of the 19th century, and the strong German influence can still be seen in each of the towns and villages. The Germanic roots are visible in the architecture, gastronomy and occasionally in
36-655: Is a town located in the Serra Gaúcha of Rio Grande do Sul , Brazil . Both Canela and neighboring Gramado are important tourist locations and they both draw many visitors each year. Ecotourism is very popular in the area and there are many opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding and river rafting. The main tourist attraction in Canela is the Parque do Caracol , the Cathedral of Stone , and Caracol Falls (Cascata do Caracol). Like sister town Gramado, Canela
45-549: The Região das Hortênsias , one of Brazil's tourist hot spots and very popular throughout the country in the winter and holiday seasons, for its breath-taking scenery, rich European cultural heritage and picturesque architecture. This geographical article relating to Rio Grande do Sul is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Canela, Rio Grande do Sul Canela ( Portuguese pronunciation: [kɐˈnɛlɐ] ), meaning Cinnamon in Portuguese,
54-596: The accent and language ( Riograndenser Hunsrückisch ) of the region. The Rota Romântica is approximately 184 km (about 114 miles) in distance and extends from São Leopoldo to São Francisco de Paula . The 13 municipalities along the route are: São Leopoldo , Novo Hamburgo , Estância Velha , Ivoti , Dois Irmãos , Morro Reuter , Santa Maria do Herval , Presidente Lucena , Picada Café , Nova Petrópolis , Gramado , Canela , São Francisco de Paula , and Linha Nova . The cities of Nova Petrópolis , Gramado , Canela , and São Francisco de Paula are also included in
63-522: The lowlands, close to river springs, while Italians populated the highlands. As a result, the region has a unique blend of German and Italian cultures, reflected in the local architecture and cuisine. Several small towns resemble German villages from centuries ago, but on a backdrop of luscious subtropical rainforest and araucarias. Many Brazilians in the region still speak German , mainly the Riograndenser Hunsrückisch dialect. In
72-449: The region's tourist highlights. The most important cities among the 75 municipalities of the Serra Gaúcha are Caxias do Sul , Bento Gonçalves , Garibaldi , Farroupilha , Gramado , Canela , Veranópolis , Nova Prata , Vacaria , Nova Petrópolis , Flores da Cunha and Carlos Barbosa . The region was settled by European immigrants during the 19th century. Germans started arriving in 1824 and Italians in 1875. Germans settled in
81-535: The towns settled by Italian immigrants, wine production is considered an important component of the local culture and vineyards can be seen everywhere. The city of Caxias do Sul celebrates the region's wine heritage during the Festa da Uva festival. Italian culture is still very strong in the community, and it's not rare to hear locals speaking Northern-Italian Talian dialect . Rota Rom%C3%A2ntica The Rota Romântica ( lit. ' Romantic Route ' )
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