Pomerode
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Pomerode

Pomerode

Santa Catarina city of Pomeranian roots, half-timbered houses, and Brazil's strongest German-speaking community.

Pomerode is a small city in the Itajaí Valley of Santa Catarina state, 32 km north of Blumenau, founded by German immigrants from Pomerania in the 19th century. It has the distinction of being the city with the highest percentage of German speakers in Brazil — around 70% of the population still use the language or its dialects in daily life. Walking around the town you'll see half-timbered (enxaimel) buildings that would not look out of place in rural Germany.

The Pomerode Zoological Garden, inaugurated in 1932, is one of the oldest zoos in Brazil and sits right in the centre of town, housing over 600 animals across more than 120 species. The Museu Pomerano covers the history of German immigration and regional culture, and the Carl Weege Immigrant House Museum preserves the intact home of one of the town's first settlers. Walking the enxaimel architecture trail through the old centre is the most rewarding way to spend a morning here.

The best time to visit is during the Festa Pomerana in January, a popular cultural festival with traditional German brass band music, folk dancing in regional dress, and plenty of local food — including the Brezel (a salted pretzel), Strudel, and poppy seed rolls. The town also has 16 active hunting and shooting clubs in the German tradition, and several choral groups that perform regularly.

Guide

Things to Do

Pomerode's main draw is its exceptionally well-preserved German heritage, concentrated in the old town centre along Rua 15 de Novembro. The Pomerode Zoological Garden is one of the oldest zoos in Brazil and sits right in the heart of town. The Museu Pomerano covers the history of the Pomeranian immigration wave, while the Carl Weege Immigrant House preserves the original home of one of the first settlers. Walking the enxaimel architecture trail through the old centre is the most rewarding way to spend a morning here.

Guide

When to Go

The peak event is the Festa Pomerana, held in January each year for around two weeks. This is a major cultural festival in the German-Brazilian tradition, with live brass band music (Blaskapelle), folk dancing in traditional regional dress, plenty of food — Brezel, Strudel, poppy seed rolls, sausages — and the inevitable beer. The festival draws visitors from across Santa Catarina and fills the town's accommodation, so book ahead if you plan to go then.

Outside the festival, Pomerode is pleasant year-round. The Itajaí Valley has a humid subtropical climate with warm summers and mild winters. January and February are the hottest and wettest months; June through August are drier and cooler, making them comfortable for walking. The town is only 32 km from Blumenau, which hosts the Oktoberfest in October — the two festivals are close enough together that some visitors combine them.