Foz do Iguaçu, a city with a great movement of culture from all over the world; Indians, Arabs, Poles, Americans, Orientals and most importantly the Italians. With a strong influence on almost the entire world, the country that looks like a boot, has a very rich culture in Arts, Fashion, Religion, Architecture and also in gastronomy. Immigration from Italy to Brazil took place from the beginning of 1880 to 1930, these people are spread across the country, mainly here in the South and Southeast.
The descendants of this great mass arrived in Brazil around the 1870s and 1960s, known today as “Italian-Brazilians”, during the period they arrived, there was no concrete statistics on the number of people in Brazil.
Italian-Brazilians are considered the largest population of “Oriundi” – descendants of Italians outside of Italy – maintaining their traditional customs, as well as part of the Brazilian population, such as in the Northeast, North and also in the Center-West.
Italian culture in Brazil has a strong contribution to all sectors of Brazilian society, mainly in changing the economy, where Italians produced in the fields and cities.
One of the most common strong changes in this environment is the issue of religion, Catholicism, as well as in arts, music, literature, architecture, gastronomy. In the field, we can mention the introduction of new agricultural techniques and mainly the change of companies that have large agricultural production.
A large percentage of Italians are in the south of the country, but there are Italian-Brazilians also in other regions of Brazil. Just as most other cultural centers move to different parts of the country and still maintain their mother tongue, Italian-Brazilians are no different, taking their dialect wherever they go, except for young people who only speak the country's language, Portuguese. .
Here in Paraná, the first Italians to descend on these lands were the Venetos in 1875 – they were an ancient people of Indo-European origin from the same group as the Illyrians (already included by Herodotus among them). They lived in northeastern Italy, in a region that corresponds to current Veneto. – Moving around the cities of Paranaguá, in the region of Morretes and Antonina.
The immigrants who came to the South of Brazil were almost all from Northern Italy, as immigration only intensified after 1895.
In 1900, more than thirty thousand Italians lived here in the state of Paraná, spread across fourteen colonies of pure Italians and another twenty mixed. In the beginning, most immigrants worked as self-employed settlers, but with the development of coffee, they became part of the region's workforce. The largest colonies prospered in the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba, with the municipality of Colombo (located in Greater Curitiba) being the largest Italian colony in Paraná. Colônia Alfredo Chaves (which would later become the city of Colombo) was one of the four where the first Italians who arrived in the state were concentrated.
Only after some time did these people come to the south of the state, thus forming their families, friends, homes and jobs. So, we understand that Italian culture has been established here in the south of the country for a long time.
About the gastronomy…
Mamma Mia! It is undoubtedly very difficult to talk about the Italian country without mentioning the gastronomy. After all, it is one of the most appetizing dishes available today.
But anyone who thinks that Italians only eat pasta is wrong. Being very rich and with many options, Italian cuisine is strongly influenced by Mediterranean cuisine.
With this geography, the menu became more appetizing, with a variety of fish and seafood, also consuming other types of meat, such as lamb, beef, chicken and turkey.
Because it is part of Europe, it is common for its dishes to contain olive oil, olives and other seasonings – spices such as vegetables, dried fruits, legumes, grains and cereals. – Many of these spices found their way into Brazilian cuisine thanks to Italian immigration.
Pizza…
How can we not remember this famous dish that is present almost every weekend – weekday – on our table? Originating in Ancient Egypt, a few centuries before Italy was a concrete country, the Egyptians ate a type of flour and water – pizza dough – in addition, the famous pizza we eat today is an improvement on the original recipe, made by the Italians.
The first pizza in history was made in honor of Queen Margherita in 1889, just as it is today, round, with ingredients that resembled the colors of the Italian flag. Cheese (white), basil (green) and tomato (red). Interesting, isn't it?
Risotto, what is this magnificent dish?
A typical dish from northern Italy, it emerged by accident in 1574. Yes, an accident! At a dinner for one of the great nobility, the cook accidentally dropped a large portion of saffron from the plate. Luckily, he received approval from his guests, thus giving rise to the original recipe.
Famous Italian cheeses
Most people who consume cheese don't know it, but this food is widely produced and appreciated in Italy – with more than 400 types manufactured in this region. There are so many varieties that each cactus in the country produces it differently, thus giving rise to more than one taste.
With many varieties, there are cheeses made from cow's, goat's, sheep's and buffalo's milk, each with unique flavors and aromas. Among the best-known Italian cheeses consumed around the world are: gorgonzola, provolone, parmesan, mozzarella, buffalo mozzarella and ricotta.
Tell me who can resist pizza or lasagna or pasta? There isn't, is there? Well, here in Foz do Iguaçu, you can enjoy everything and more about Italian cuisine, with the main ones remaining. Are you in the mood? So come with me and I'll show you the places to make your nights in Foz one of the best.
Italian Night
With a menu full of pastas and sauces, there is also a rodizio, cheese and wine table with live music.
Address: Annex to the Hotel Bella Italia – Av. República Argentina, 1700 – Centro.
La Mafia Tratroria
Italian restaurant full of ornaments and cosa nostra themes that serves individual traditional dishes.
Address: Rua Watslaf Nieradka, 195 – Centro.
Grandpa Luiz Pizzeria and Cucina
Select pizzas and house-made Italian specialties in an inviting bohemian space full of charming elements.
Address: Rua Bartolomeu de Gusmão, 1089 – Centro.
Grandma Bertila
Traditional Italian restaurant with a variety of pastas and hearty pizzas in a simple family atmosphere.
Address: Rua Bartolomeu de Gusmão, 1116 – Centro.
4 Sorelle
Pizzas, pasta, roast meats and more, with menu options, self-service and all-you-can-eat options, in a cozy space.
Address: R. Alm. Barroso, 1336 – Center.
With these Italian cuisine options, we at Hotel Tarobá can guarantee that your night will be more than special. Come and delight in the rich Italian cuisine and of course, stay with us, without a doubt we have the best prices and the satisfaction of welcoming you.
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Are you a tourist who likes to know everything about the destination you are traveling to? Do you like to answer questions, ask questions and would you like people who live in the destination and other travelers to give you feedback and recommend the best places and give valuable advice for your trip? Thinking exactly about this, Combo Iguassu created a group on Facebook to help those who travel to Foz do Iguaçu and would like more tips on tourism, tours and accommodation in the city. A group created completely to answer doubts and ask questions related to these issues above. Just search Facebook for the group “Tips for tours, tourism and accommodation in Foz do Iguaçu” that our group will appear, or by clicking on this blue link above the group name.
