The town of Blumenau, 140km/87mi north-west of Florianópolis, was founded on September 2nd 1850 by Hermann Otto Blumenau - the first German settlement in the Itajaí valley. With its handsome squares and bridges and its abundance of flowers and trees Blumenau is the economic and tourist center of the valley and of the whole of north-western Santa Catarina and an important cultural center: its chamber orchestra, established in 1981, is one of the best in the country.
The steamer "Blumenau II" runs attractive trips on the Rio Itajaí (three times daily; 1.5-2 hours; departure from Avenida Castelo Branco, near Praça Dr Blumenau).
Within the Cultural Center, which occupies the former municipal offices, are the Escolinha da Arte (Art School), Escola da Música (Music School) and Galeria Municipal de Arte (Municipal Art Gallery).
The Museu Ecológico Fritz Müller, housed in a half-timbered building of 1860, contains geological and biological material and precious stones from the region, together with the personal collection of the German scientist Fritz Müller (1821-97), a student and collaborator of Charles Darwin's, who died in Blumenau.
The Museu Histórico da Família Colonial, in the half-timbered house once occupied by Hermann Blumenau (1819-99), displays mementoes of the town's founder and collections of books and artifacts of the local Indians. Attached to the Museum is the Edith Gaertner Botanic Garden. The Blumenau family burial-place, erected in 1974, contains the remains of Hermann Blumenau, brought here from Germany.
Adjoining the Immigrants' Cemetery, in which the early settlers in the region are buried, is the Protestant Church, with a timber roof structure which is surely unique in the world.
15km/9.3mi from the town center is the Spitzkopf Nature Reserve (area 5sq.km/2sq.mi), with waterfalls, small rivers, hiking trails and accommodation for visitors (which should be booked in advance).
14km/8.7mi east of Blumenau on the road to Itajaí (SC 470) is Gaspar, whose income comes mainly from the craft products made here. 33km/21mi from Blumenau on the same road is Timbó, among whose attractions is a promenade with a botanic garden, a nursery and a children's playground. Pedalos can also be hired here.
11km/7mi from the town is the Refúgio Forest Park, which contains waterfalls and pools, a small zoo and a camping site. 15km/9.3mi from Blumenau is another nature park, the Foresta Negra ("Black Forest"), which also has a camping site, a natural swimming pool and waterfalls.
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Pomerode, Brazil
