Visiting Tiradentes Square
Tiradentes Square is the heart of Curitiba, Brazil. As the oldest square in the city, it serves as the historic point of origin from which the urban area expanded. You will find it right next to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Curitiba and the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Light. Beyond its role as a major transit hub, the square is a pleasant spot for a stroll, shaded by trees and lined with statues that recount the city's past.
The historic center of Curitiba
The development of Curitiba began at Tiradentes Square. You can still see remnants of the original paving stones dating back to the mid-19th century. These ruins are protected under a glass surface that lights up after dark. The square also serves as a reminder of the colonial era's impact on Brazil's indigenous peoples. According to local lore, the indigenous leader Tindiqüera, from the Tingüi tribe, settled his people here after they were forced from the banks of the Atuba River.
A symbol of Portuguese colonial power
The square still hosts a cross of Christ and a monolith marking the site where Portuguese settlers erected a pillory. These symbols of authority were placed here by the emissary Gabriel de Lara in 1693 to assert the dominion of King Denis of Portugal over these lands against both indigenous inhabitants and rival Spanish interests. Nearby, you will find a geodesic marker that displays the direction and distance from Curitiba to various points of interest, including the Iguaçu Falls, São Paulo, and Paranaguá. This marker also indicates the city's elevation above sea level.
Right in the heart of the city with the main cathedral just a stone's throw away. Always crowded because it leads to some major access points in the city.