History of Altamira

The history of the city of Altamira is inextricably linked to the era of colonization and the exploration of the Amazon basin. This settlement, located in the state of Pará, has come a long way from a small religious mission to the largest municipality by area in a country such as Brazil.

Foundation and First Mentions

The origins of the city date back to the mid-18th century. The official date of the settlement's inception is considered to be 1750, when the Jesuit priest Roque de Hunderfund founded a mission called Tavaquara. The primary goal of the mission was the catechisation of local indigenous tribes and the consolidation of the Portuguese presence in the region.

Key Factors of Formation

The development of the settlement was determined by several important circumstances:

• Geographical Location: The city grew on the banks of the Xingu River, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon. The river served as the primary transport artery connecting the settlement with the outside world.
• Natural Resources: Dense tropical forests provided residents with valuable resources, which helped attract traders and settlers.
• Strategic Importance: The mission served as a base for expeditions heading deep into the continent.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the first decades of its existence, the economy of Tavaquara (the future Altamira) was built on subsistence farming and the extraction of "forest gifts" (spices, cocoa, medicinal plants). The cultural landscape was formed under the influence of a blend of European traditions and indigenous customs.

The region received significant impetus for development in the late 19th century during the rubber boom. The growth in demand for rubber led to an influx of population and capital, which ultimately allowed the settlement to gain city status and its modern name in 1911.

Major Milestones in History

• 1750: Jesuit missionary Roque de Hunderfund founds the Tavaquara mission, which became the predecessor of the modern city.
• Late 19th Century: The "rubber boom" begins in the region, attracting numerous settlers and traders.
• 1911: The settlement officially receives municipality status and a new name — Altamira.
• 1912: The solemn installation of the first city government and administrative separation from neighbouring territories takes place.
• 1972: The Trans-Amazonian Highway (BR-230) passes through the region, connecting this remote corner with the rest of the country.
• 1970s: State agrarian colonisation programmes stimulate a massive influx of population from other states.
• 1998: Protected natural areas are created around the Xingu River to preserve the unique ecosystem.
• 2010: The government of Brazil approves the license for the construction of a large hydroelectric power plant near the city.
• 2011: Construction of the Belo Monte Dam begins, becoming the largest infrastructure project in the region's history.
• 2016: The hydroelectric power plant is commissioned, significantly influencing the economy and landscape of the municipality.
• 2019: Modernisation of the local airport is completed, allowing for an increase in its capacity.

The development of the city of Altamira represents a series of large-scale transformations that turned a remote mission into an important regional centre. Each milestone has left a noticeable mark on the architecture, economy, and lifestyle of the local population.

• Rise of Rubber Extraction (Late 19th Century). This period became the first powerful economic driver. High demand for rubber attracted capital and settlers, allowing the settlement to form its primary urban infrastructure and establish trade links.
• Gaining Administrative Independence (1911). Official recognition of municipality status launched independent urban planning. It was then that the foundations were laid for managing the largest administrative unit by area that Brazil boasts.
• Opening of the Trans-Amazonian Highway (1972). The construction of the BR-230 highway was a turning point that ended the region's centuries-old isolation. The road connected the city with other states, stimulated trade, and led to a significant expansion of the city limits.
• Agrarian Colonisation (1970–1980s). State land development programmes attracted thousands of farmers. This changed the economic profile of the city: alongside the extraction of forest resources, agriculture and livestock farming began to play an important role.
• Construction of the Belo Monte Dam (2010s). The implementation of one of the largest energy projects in the world led to explosive population growth and infrastructure modernisation. The city received new residential districts, improved roads, and modern public spaces.
• Development of the University Cluster (2000s). The opening of a campus of the Federal University of Pará (UFPA) turned the city into an educational hub for the region, attracting youth and fostering cultural exchange.
• Modernisation of the Transport Hub (Late 2010s). Reconstruction of the airport and improvement of river transport expanded logistical capabilities, simplifying access for tourists and businesses wishing to explore the unique nature of the Xingu River.

The architectural appearance of the city of Altamira is a reflection of its history as an outpost of Amazonian exploration. It is difficult to find monumental examples of European styles here, such as Gothic or Baroque. Instead, the urban fabric represents a combination of traditional riverside structures, the heritage of the "rubber boom," and modern functional development that emerged during periods of rapid growth.

Stages of Urban Development

The formation of the urban environment can be roughly divided into several key stages, each of which has left its mark on the map of the municipality:

• River Period (19th – Early 20th Century). Initially, the city developed along the Xingu River. The construction of this time is characterised by the adaptation of Portuguese colonial traditions to the tropical climate. Buildings are typically low-rise, with large windows for ventilation and pitched roofs for protection against heavy rains.
• Era of Highways (1970s). The construction of the Trans-Amazonian Highway shifted the vector of development from the river inland. During this period, Brazil was actively developing the region, and architecture became more utilitarian and chaotic, with a predominance of concrete and simple geometric forms typical of late modernism and functionalism.
• Modern Urbanisation (2010s). The construction of the Belo Monte Dam led to the creation of new planned districts (RUC — Reassentamentos Urbanos Coletivos). These are examples of modern comprehensive territorial development with standard residential housing, wide streets, and new social infrastructure.

Landmarks and Architectural Dominants

Despite the prevalence of standard buildings, Altamira has objects that form its recognisable appearance:

• The Waterfront (Orla do Cais). The recently reconstructed embankment of the Xingu River is the main public space. It is a modern recreational complex combining walking zones, landscaping, and rest areas, which has become the hallmark of the renewed city.
• Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Catedral do Sagrado Coração de Jesus). The main Catholic church of the city. Its architecture is concise, with elements of modern style, which emphasises the restrained character of religious structures in the region.
• Municipal Market. A place where architecture takes a back seat to function, but it is here that the spirit of the old trading city is preserved, with its lively atmosphere and traditional way of life.

Historical Figures and Famous Residents

The history of the exploration of the Xingu banks is full of names of brave explorers, missionaries, and public figures. The biographies of these people help to better understand how Altamira developed and how its unique cultural code was formed.

• Roque de Hunderfund
  Jesuit missionary, founder
  A key figure in the history of the region. It was he who founded the Tavaquara mission in 1750, choosing a strategically important location on the Xingu River. His activities marked the beginning of a permanent settlement, which centuries later turned into a modern city.
• Adalbert of Prussia (Adalbert von Preussen)
  German prince, traveller, and explorer
  In 1842, the prince visited the region as part of his expedition through the Amazon. His detailed diaries and sketches became an invaluable historical source describing the life of settlers and indigenous peoples of that era, when Brazil was still an empire.
• Henri Coudreau
  French geographer and topographer
  In the late 19th century, he undertook a large-scale expedition along the Xingu River. His work "Voyage to the Xingu" (Voyage au Xingu) contains detailed maps and descriptions of the region during the "rubber boom," documenting the period of the city's first economic flourishing.
• Dom Clemente Geiger
  First Bishop of the Xingu Prelature
  He led the local Catholic mission in the mid-20th century. He played a huge role in the development of the city's social infrastructure, initiating the construction of schools and hospitals at a time when state support for the region was minimal.
• Dom Erwin Kräutler
  Bishop, public figure, human rights activist
  A world-renowned defender of indigenous rights and the ecology of the Amazon. A laureate of the Right Livelihood Award (Alternative Nobel Prize). His activities attracted international attention to the problems of preserving the unique ecosystem of the Xingu River.