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Parks and Memorials of Curitiba
Bosque Alemão
Memorial to the German immigration, 38.000 m² in the Vista Alegre or Jardim Schaffer neighbourhood, inaugurated in 1996; you feel as if you where in a little peace of Germany. The "Oratório de Bach" (concert room for 150 people) is a copy of an antique presbyterian church, where concerts are held. The viewpoint ("Torre dos filósosfos" with 15 mts. high) is constructed with a thousand meters of eucalyptus trunks and a footbridge leads to a beautiful view of Curitiba. The trails through the forest lead you to the fantastic story of Hansel and Gretel ("João e Maria"), and to the Enchanted House, where there is a library and you can hear children’s stories (Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm.). Between ruas Franz Schubert, Nicollo Paganini and Francisco Schaffer. Visits are open daily from 6 am till 8 pm.
Parque Atuba
End of rua Arnoldo Wolff Gaensly in Atuba neighborhood. Open every day.
Parque Bacacheri
Also known as General Iberê de Mattos park, is located in the Bacacheri neighborhood, very near the military airport. It was constructed in 1988 with 152.000m² to recuperate an artificial lake, it has football and volleyball courts, playground and "churrasqueiras". On rua Paulo Nadolny. Visits are open daily from 6 am till 10 pm.
Parque Barigüi
Only 5 km away from town, Barigüi (1972) is the principal and largest park of the city. It has an area of 1,4 million m² and a 230.000 m² lake, being a haven for several native and migratory animals, including an alligator, surrounded with a cooper/jogging track with gym equipment and a "ciclovia" for bicycles or skaters. The "Centro de Exposições" (convention center) makes different fairs all year round. There are "churrasqueiras", several bars, an amusement park and a restaurant and the "Museu do Automóvel" (automobile museum) is interesting to see. It has an extensive forest with roads and tracks, ideal for long daily walks. In Champagnat and Cascatinha neighborhoods, between avenue Manoel Ribas and the BR 277. The rua Cándido Hartman cuts the park in two.
Parque Barreirinha
In the Barreirinha neighborhood, only 9 km from town, transformed into a park in 1972 with an area of 275.000 m². It has native trees, rustic cabins, children’s library, bar, "churrasqueiras", 3 lakes, playground and some species of mammals and birds. The "Horto Municipal da Barreirinha" also belongs to the park and is responsible for scientific research and production of ornamental plants. On avenue Anita Garibaldi, 6010. Visits are open daily from 8 am till 6 pm. Tel.: 3585-5269.
Bosque Boa Vista
It is located in the Boa Vista neighborhood with an area of 11.682 m² , of which 7.000 m² is natural forests. Since 1996, it is called "Bosque Martim Lutero", in honor to Martin Luther King and it is looked after by the "Comunidade Evangélica Luterana". Between rua Holanda and Vicente Ciccarino.
Bosque Capão de Imbuia
In the Capão da Imbuia neighborhood, donated to the community in 1955 by the Reginato family, with 39.000 m² area. The forest mixes with the "Museu de História Natural" where researches on Zoology, Botanic, Geology are made together with a big scientific library. Around 200.000 animal, vertebrae and invertebrate examples of Paranaense fauna are exposed. There is a collection of Paranaenses species, rocks and minerals. On rua Benedito Conceição, 407. Visits are open from Tuesday till Sunday from 9 am till 5:30 pm. Museum tel.: 3366-3133.
Bosque da Fazendinha
Inaugurated in 1995, in the Fazendinha neighborhood and like most of Curitiba parks, it has its own forest. 73.000 m² of the ex-country residence of the Klemtz family, in a neo-classic style, constructed in 1896 and keeps some of their antique furniture and works as an atelier for restoration. The house is called "Liceu das Artes e do Restauro Casa Klemtz". It has an open air stage, sportive courts, "churrasqueiras", viewpoint and ecological tracks. ON rua Carlos Klemtz. Visits are open daily from 8 am till 6 pm.
Bosque Gomm
The "Bosque Maria Luísa Gomm" is situated in a private area, in the middle of Batel. It was first bought by the Gomm family in 1906 and they constructed their own house with the Araucaria pine wood. The forest still preserves an area of the native "Mata Atlantica". The house was restaured and became the "Espaço Pedagógico-Cultural Casa Gomm-Embap", where the "Escola de Música e Belas Artes do Paraná" works.
On avenida Batel and rua Bruno Filgueira. Site: http://www.batel-curitiba.com/gomm.htm
Bosque Gutierrez
The "Bosque João Carlos Hartley Gutierrez" was inaugurated in 1989, which was reserved by Mr. João Carlos Hartley Gutierrez, it is one of the highest parks in Curitiba, located in Vista Alegre, with an area of 18.000 m² and has a fountain flowing 1.350 liters per hour of natural water. You can visit the "Memorial Chico Mendes", a house built in honor of the famous Brazilian rubber tapper, killed in Xapuri (Acre) and the "Pavilhão de Educação Ambiental e a Escola Amazônica" and an ecological track. On rua Albino Raschendorfer in Vista Alegre. Visits are open daily from 8 am till 6 pm. Tel.: 3350-8849 or 3350-8711.
Parque Histórico de Curitiba
It is situated in Bairro Alto neighbourhood and has the "Portal Português". The "Parque Histórico de Curitiba" marks the area where the first Portuguese gold seekers camped, starting this way the first European population of Curitiba in the beginning of the 17th. century. There is a legend telling that around 1648 a group of pioneers founded a small village near the Atuba River while searching for gold. These pioneers worshipped Nossa Senhor da Luz and made a special place there for her statue. The legend tells that every morning the image turned her eyes to a pine tree forest (pinhal) which the pioneers knew was a sacred place of the Caingangues Indians. The explorers took this as a sign that Nossa Senhora was showing them a special place for their village. Even though they knew that the Indians took them as enemies, the pioneers took the risk and went in to the forest to find this special place. When the pioneers got close to the tribe of the Caingangues a miracle happened: the Indians were peaceful and expecting them to come. At that place the pioneers built a chapel in honor of Nossa Senhora da Luz, called Nossa Senhora da Luz dos Pinhais.
Parque Regional do Iguazú
Considered the biggest urban park of Brazil, with its 8 million m². It was created in 1982 to preserve the ecologial sanctuary of the place where the famous Iguaçu river cuts the park forming swamps and natural forests.
There is a large sports section with a baseball stadium, fluvial beach, a rowing and fishing area, several equipment for recreation, "churrasqueiras" and bars. The "Casa do Acantonamento" gives enviromental education for children.
Access by Jardim Paranaense and Via Intercavas in Alto Boqueirão. Visits are open from Tuesday till Sunday from 8 am till 5 pm. Tel.: 3378-1221 or 3378-1515.
Bosque Italiano
Also know as the "Bosque São Cristóvão" in Santa Felicidade, with 23.540 m² and a stage for presentations in the festive celebrations where the Italian community present their delicious grapes, wines and food. The "Memorial da Imigração Italiana de Curitiba" was built in 1996 to celebrate the roots of the Italian imigrants. Access by the rua Calisto Cumin, Domingos Strapasson and Margarida Miranda.
Jardim Botânico
The Botanical Garden know as the "Jardim Botânico Fanchette Rischbieter" occupies 240.000 m² and was opened in 1991. The unique 3-domed metallic structure greenhouse and geometrically shaped plantation and fountains, has made "Jardim Botânico" one of the most photographed structures in Curitiba and a permanent fixture on post cards and guidebooks. The modern metallic structure of the greenhouse was
inspired in the Crystal Palace in London from the 19th century. (This photo is of 1910, before it burnt down completely in 1936). The greenhouse is home to many species of plants from the Atlantic Forests of Brazil. It is open daily from 6 am to 9 pm during summers and from 7am to 8 pm during winters. In addition, the Botanical Garden offers a souvenir shop, a café, ecological tracks, lakes, as well as ample parking. Behind the greenhouse is the Museum of Franz Krajcberg, the Botanical Museum offers to see a lake, auditorium, library, expositions area, tennis courts and a cycle track.
On rua Eng. Ostoja Roguski. Visits are open daily from 6 am till 9 pm. in summer and from 7 am till 8 pm. in winter. Tel.: 3362-5289.
Parque João Paulo II
This park is also known as the Pope´s Park, "Bosque do Pap a" (because the Pope Paulo II visited Curitiba and made a massive mass in the Centro Cívico), 48.000 m² area, it was constructed in honor to the Polish immigrants where an old candle factory existed. There is a beautiful forest with ecological tracks and over 300 Araucaria trees, a bar and seven wooden log houses with different collections of utensils used by the immigrants. It is situated right behind the "Centro Cívico" on rua Mateus Leme. Visits are open daily from 6 am till 8 pm. Tel.: 3313-7194.
Parque Passaúna
The municipal park of Passaúna is one of the most beautiful parks in Curitiba. It is a place to relax, to fish, to walk and to enjoy the nature. It was opened in 1991, covering an area of 6,5 million m² . Around half of this area is covered by a lake that was created by the dam of the Passúna water station, which supplies water to 1/3 of Curitiba´s population. Before the area was flooded, it was occupied by old pottery installations, whose chimneys can still be seen. The park is home to a rich fauna of more than 200 species of animals. It boasts a 3,5 km long ecological trail next to the lake. There is a biology station, a children’s park, a snack bar, as well as a 60m high lookout. Entrance from Rua Eduardo Sprada, in Augusta, between Curitiba and Almirante Tamandaré. Tel.: 3335- 2112 (Secretaria do Meio Ambiente).
Parque das Pedreiras
The Pedreiras Park (Bricklayer’s Park) is a cultural area with lakes, waterfalls and Araucaria trees , where man-made structures coexist in harmony with natural ones to form a singular landscape. Visitors can find the "Ópera de Arame" and the "Espaço Cultural Paulo Leminski". The park was opened in 1992 on top of an area where an old bricklayer lived. The "Ópera de Arame" is a theater with a capacity of 2.400. It was built using tubular structures and a clear roof, we recommend not to visit it with high heeled shoes. The famous tenor José Carreras performed at the opera house in 1993, accompanied by the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra, in commemoration of Curitiba’s 300th anniversary.
The park also features an open-air stage that can cater to great cultural and artistic events, whereas in the "Espaço Cultural Paulo Leminski" visitors can view photos and artifacts as well as read about the history of the poet and scholar. More information on Paulo Leminski (1944-89) can be found at www.leminski.curitiba.pr.gov.br
On rua João Gava in Pilarzinho. Visits are open from Tuesday till Sunday from 8 am till 8 pm. Tel.: 3354-3266.
Bosque de Portugal
The "Bosque de Portugal" is a memorial to the Portuguese imigrants, inaugurated in 1994 and situated in Jardim Social. It has 21.000 m² of green area. It has an internal stone avenue that crosses the natural forest, decorated with 22 pillars with Portuguese wall tiles with Portuguese poems from Luís de Camões, Gregório de Matos, Camilo Pessanha and other famous poets. Access by the rua Fagundes Varela.
Passeio Público
Passeio Público occupies 70.000 m² in the central area of Curitiba existing for more than a century, inaugurated in 1886. Its principal entries are copies from the "Portão do Cemitério de Cães de Paris". It has a mini zoo with different national birds, three lalkes (one with an island with birds and monkeys), several native trees, an aquarium, a bar and a restaurant. On rua Presidente Carlos Cavalcante, Presidente Faria and avenue João Gualberto. Visits are open from Tuesday till Sunday from 6 am till 8 pm. Tel.: 33222-2742.
Bosque Reinhardt Maack
Inaugurated in 1989, with 78.000 m², used by trekkers, joggers and children in the middle of open tracks and forests. Located in Vila Hauer, includes adventurous children’s recreation with 16 obstacles and challenges of different levels. A dense Mata Atlântica forest surrounds the park with araucarias, aroeiras, caúbas, bracatingas and others. this park is in honor of the German researcher Reinhard Maack who discovered the "Pico do Paraná", the highest peak of the state and who also contributed to the preservation of the ecological environment of Paraná. On rua Chanceler Oswaldo Aranha, bairro Hauer. Open on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, from 8am till 6 pm.
Parque São Lourenço
Approximately 60.000 m² of forest with a beautiful lake surrounded by a "cooper" track, "churrasqueiras", bar, play-ground and an exclusive track for homemade carts, in the São Lourenço neighborhood, nearly 4km from town. It shelters the "Centro de Criatividade", where arts are encouraged with classrooms, auditoriums, libraries, ateliers and exposition area. It is In the crossing of rua Mateus Leme and rua Nilo Brandão. Visits are open daily from 8 am till 6 pm.Tel: 3313- 7190.
Parque Tangüa
Inaugurated in 1996, the "Parque Tanguá" surprises with its beauty as an example of urban space being re-utilized. Involves an area of 235.000 m², in a place with a complex of deactivated stone-quarries. This park preserves the green area near the source of the Barigüi River. It has two lakes and an artificial 45 meter tunnel that can be visited on foot or by boat. It has an extraordinary viewpoint, a cooper track, "churrasqueiras" and a bar. In Pilarzinho on rua Dr. Bemben. Visits are open daily from 6 am till 8 pm. Tel.: 3335-2112.
Parque Tingüi
"Parque Tingüi" was inaugurated in 1994 with 380.000 m² on the border of the Barigüi River, in the Tingüi neighborhood. Its name is in honor of the Tingüi Indians who lived in this region before the Portuguese colonized it, because they helped them with different services. The statue represents the Tindiqüera chief of the Tingüi tribe and it is in the entrance of the park; according to the myths, he was the one who indicated the colonizers the place where the city of "Vila Nossa Senhora da Luz dos Pinhais" would be constructed.
It has lakes, covered wooden bridges, children’s park, bicycle track and lots of green area for walking, reading, running, etc.
The "Memorial Ucraniano" is the principal attraction of the park and a replica of Saint Michael´s Church in the mountain of the Tiger, in Mallet, it has roofing made of pine and a bronze dome. There is a gigantic Pessanka (constructed by Jorge Seratiuk). In the photo you can see some of the other Pessankas (eggs) which are in exposition. Between rua José Valle and rua Fredolin Wolf.
Parque dos Tropeiros
Inaugurated in 1994, with an area of 174.000 m², to honor the historical era of the cattle dealers ("tropeiros"). It is a park with Brazilian cowboy culture. It has a Rodeio court, camping, a stage, a museum, a meat restaurant and a native forest. On rua Maria Lúcia Locher de Athayde, in Cidade Industrial (CIC).
Bosque Zaninelli (Unilivre)
This forest has a wooden viewpoint and the "Universidade Livre do Meio Ambiente" is located in the viewpoint, with an interesting project that looks for the diffusion of ecological knowledge and the development of environmental preservation, with open-air natural material classrooms and an amphitheater. It was opened in 1992 by the oceanographer Jacques Cousteau. In Pilarzinho, on rua Victor Benato, 210, in Pilarzinho. Visits are open daily from 8 am till 7pm. Tel.: 3254-5548 or 3254-7657. Site: www.unilivre.org.br
Zoológico
Relatively quite distant from downtown, in a native area with 530.000 m², the "Zoológico de Curitiba" shelters more than a thousand animals (80 different species from various parts of the world), living in a habitat very close to their natural ones, it also works as research and reproduction center. It is part of the "Parque Regional do Iguaçú". It offers parking, restrooms and bars. Take rua Francisco Derosso, and follow the signs. Visits are from Tuesday till Sundays, from 8am till 5pm.
For more information access this site http://www.parques-curitiba.com/ (in Portuguese)
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Curitiba is a very well planned city filled with parks, memorials and culture. 
