Historic Centre of the Town of Goiás In Brazil

Historic Centre of the Town of Goiás - Brazil

Short Report

Goias is testimony to the occupation and colonization of the plains of central Brazil in the 18th and 19th century. The urban layout is an example of the organic development of a mining town, adapted to the requirements of the site. Although modest, both public and private sector architecture forms a harmonious whole, thanks to the consistent use of local materials and techniques.

Wide Report

In the construction and architecture the historic city Goias is an excellent example of a European city excellent adapted to the climatic, geographical and cultural obligations of central South America. It is the development of a form of urban structure and architecture typical of the colonial settlement of South America to make full use of local materials and techniques, and conservation of the special setting. The urban layout is an example of the organic development of a mining town, adapted to the requirements of the site. Although modest, both public and private sector architecture forms a harmonious whole, thanks to the consistent use of local materials and techniques.

The origin of the town Goiás are closely linked to the history of the more or less official expeditions (bandeiras ), from Sao Paulo to explore the inside of the Brazilian territory. An expedition led by Fernando Dias Pais, explored the region Minas (1673-81), and another expedition, under the command of Bartolomeu Bueno da Silva, explored the region of Goias (1682), a number of gold. As a result of wars in the coastal regions, the attention again to the passenger compartment; gold was found in Cuiabá and in Rio Vermelho (the mines of Goias).

With a view to a better control of the mines of Goias, the Portuguese authorities decide to strengthen the regional government. In 1739, the governor of Sao Paulo chose Santana, who took the name Vila Boa the Goias. It was therefore always close doubled in size by the addition of a small administrative district. In 1748, Goiás was chosen as the seat of a new-; its first governor was Dom Marcos the De Noronha (1749-55), which the modest village in a small capital. Under the first constructions is the Casa Fundição (1750) for the control of gold, governor's palace and the army barracks. The city remained be improved, including the construction of the Casa the Câmara e Cadeia, improvement of the roads and streets, building of the fountains of Carioca Metro Station and the Cauda Chafariz and the opening of a theater. In 1782 the governor had the urban master plan, which the city with a structure that has survived to the present day. In 1770 an inevitable decline of gold mining and Goiás began in a long period of stagnation. In 1935-37 his administrative position was removed but the townscape has remained intact.

The town Goias is built between two series hills, along a river, the Rio Vermelho. The areas on the right bank are close to the north-western hills, and a popular character, indicated by the church of Rosario, which was traditionally reserved for the slaves. The areas on the left bank, bounded by the hills in the south-east, Are reserved for the more representative groups of buildings, including the parish church (now the cathedral) of Santana, Governor's Palace, the barracks, the Casa Fundição, extending to the Plaça do Chafariz and climb to the hill of Chapeu' is inserted' inserted do Padre. Here are also to be found the historic district and a characteristic market place.

The town is characterized by the harmony of the architecture, due to the size and nature of the buildings. Simultaneously, the history of the construction can be read in the variation of styles from the classic 18th-century buildings on the eclectic architecture of the 19th century. Goias went through a long period of stagnation in the 19th century to recent times. The townscape has not therefore has been the subject of any significant changes in the modern time, except perhaps for the reconstruction of the church of Rosario in Gothic Revival style in 1933. Otherwise, Goias is a good example of the display of the mining town of the 18th and 19th century, including the natural environment, which has remained intact.

Historical Data

The origin of the town Goiás are closely linked to the history of the more or less official expeditions (bandeiras), left of Sao Paulo for exploring the inside of the Brazilian territory. An expedition, under the command of Fern. Dias Pais, explored the field of Minas (1673-81), and another expedition, under the command of Bartolomeu Bueno da Silva, explored the surroundings of Goias (1682), a number of gold. However, the discoveries of Minas are far superior and, from 1700, attracted a large number of people; the population of Brazil increased from 80,000 to more than a million in a few years. As a result of wars in the coastal regions, the attention again established on the territory of the country; in 1718 gold was found in Cuiabá (the capital of Mato Grosso), and three years later the son of Bartolomeu Bueno gold discovered in Rio Vermelho, where he was nominated the chief inspector of the mines of Goias. A year later drew the settlement of Santana and a chapel was built in 1729.

With a view to a better control of the mines of Goias, the Portuguese authorities decide to strengthen the regional government. In 1739, the governor of Sao Paulo chose Santana, who took the name Vila Boa the Goias. It was therefore always close doubled in size by the addition of a small administrative district. In 1748, Goiás was chosen as the seat of a new sub-district; the first governor was Dom Marcos the De Noronha (1749-55), which the modest village in a small capital. Under the first constructions is the Casa Fundição (1750) for the control of gold, governor's palace (1751), and the barracks (1751). Under his successors the city is continually improved, including the construction of the Casa the Câmara e Cadeia (1761), improvement of the roads and streets, construction of the fountains of Carioca Metro Station and the Cauda Chafariz, and the opening of a theater (1772-77). The governor Luis da Cunha Meneses (1778-83) planted trees, improved the street alignment, the public square of Chafariz, and opened a slaughterhouse (1778-83).  He also had the urban master plan drawn up (1782), which the city with a structure that has survived to the present day.

In 1770 an inevitable decline of gold mining and Goiás began in a long period of stagnation. It retained its status as the capital, but remained far behind in Rio de Janeiro, and so further progress was arrested. In 1935-37 his administrative position was removed but the townscape has remained intact. In 1950 IPHAN, conservation Brazilian authority, given the main churches and the barracks, and in 1951, the Casa da Câmara, the palace and the main locations in the center. The inauguration in 1960 of the new capital of Brazil, Brasilia, the region has a new impetus. Since 1980 Goias is revived with new constructions. Fortunately, the entire center area was by IPHAN for protection in 1978.

Source:whc/unesco