Sao Joaquim Attractions
São Joaquim
The little town of São Joaquim lies high in the Serra do Rio do Rastro, an offshoot of the Serra Geral, 76km/47mi south-east of Lages and 288km/179mi south-west of Florianópolis. Its foundation is attributed to Manoel Joaquim Pinto of São Paulo, although it is known that some farmers had already established themselves in the area. São Joaquim is famed for its productive fruit orchards and for its occasional snowfalls between July and September, when the temperature can drop below freezing point. The Festival de Inverno (Winter Festival) is celebrated here in the first half of July, and the Festa Nacional da Maçã (National Apple Festival) in the first two weeks of April.
Bus Station
Avenida Ivo Silveira
The little town of São Joaquim lies high in the Serra do Rio do Rastro, an offshoot of the Serra Geral, 76km/47mi south-east of Lages and 288km/179mi south-west of Florianópolis. Its foundation is attributed to Manoel Joaquim Pinto of São Paulo, although it is known that some farmers had already established themselves in the area. São Joaquim is famed for its productive fruit orchards and for its occasional snowfalls between July and September, when the temperature can drop below freezing point. The Festival de Inverno (Winter Festival) is celebrated here in the first half of July, and the Festa Nacional da Maçã (National Apple Festival) in the first two weeks of April.
Bus Station
Avenida Ivo Silveira
Parque Nacional de São Joaquim
Parque Nacional de São Joaquim
The São Joaquim National Park occupies an area of 20,000 hectares/50,000 acres in the communes of São Joaquim and Orleães. It was established in 1961 mainly to preserve the forests of araucaria (parana pine) and other species characteristic of Santa Cristina.
The São Joaquim National Park occupies an area of 20,000 hectares/50,000 acres in the communes of São Joaquim and Orleães. It was established in 1961 mainly to preserve the forests of araucaria (parana pine) and other species characteristic of Santa Cristina.
Experimental Fruit-Growing Station
3km/2mi from the town on the road to Tubarão is the Experimental Fruit-Growing Station (Estação Experimental de Fruticultura), which has made a major contribution to the improvement of the fruit (particularly apples) grown in this region.
Lages, Brazil
(Near Sao Joaquim)
The little town of Lages, north-west of São Joaquim, is a center of Gaúcho culture and now also an important tourist center, with a number of fazendas which provide accommodation for visitors. The Festa Nacional do Pinhão (National Pine-Cone Festival) is celebrated at the end of May and beginning of June, with typical local dishes (always served with chimarrão, maté tea), Gaúcho singing and dancing and horse shows.
