Caldas Novas history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Caldas Novas is inextricably linked to the search for natural riches in the depths of Brazil. Although expeditions passed through this region as early as the beginning of the 18th century, the actual moment of foundation is considered to be 1777. It was then that explorer Martinho Coelho de Siqueira, hunting in the forests of the Serra de Caldas mountain range, discovered hot springs.

Impressed by the find, he established the Fazenda das Caldas in this area. This private estate became the core of the future settlement, around which people wishing to benefit from the healing properties of the waters began to gather.

Key Factors of Formation

The transformation of a small farm into a city was driven by unique natural conditions, rather than military or trade strategy:

• Geothermal resources: The main development factor was the presence of the world's largest hydrothermal basin. Springs, such as Lagoa Quente, attracted attention long before the arrival of modern tourism infrastructure.
• Geographic isolation and resources: The remoteness of the region fostered the formation of a self-sufficient community. Initially, explorers came here in search of gold, but stayed thanks to the fertile lands and water.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the first decades of its existence, the settlement's economy and culture had their own distinct features:

• Agrarian lifestyle: Before the tourism boom, life was based on subsistence farming, cattle breeding, and sugar cane cultivation.
• Healing pilgrimage: Already in the 19th century, Caldas Novas began to gain fame as a "health resort". Patients with rheumatism and skin conditions travelled here, laying the foundation for the city's future specialisation as a resort centre.

Major Historical Milestones

The history of the development of Caldas Novas is a journey from a secluded farm to one of the most popular thermal resorts in the world. Below are the key dates that defined the city's destiny:

• 1777: Martinho Coelho de Siqueira discovers the hot springs and founds Fazenda das Caldas, initiating the settlement of the territory.
• 1818: Antônio Coelho de Siqueira, son of the discoverer, takes over the management of the lands and begins receiving the first guests seeking healing in the waters.
• 1850: Construction of the Church of Our Lady of Exile (Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Desterro), which became the spiritual and administrative centre of the future village.
• 1857: The settlement receives the official status of a church parish (freguesia), cementing its importance in the region.
• 1893: Caldas Novas is elevated to the rank of a district (distrito), administratively subordinate to the municipality of Santa Cruz, and later Vila Bela (now Morrinhos).
• 1911: On October 21, the city gains political autonomy and the status of an independent municipality, separating from Morrinhos.
• 1912: Bento de Godoy takes office as the first intendant (mayor) of the newly formed municipality.
• 1964: Opening of the nearby Rio Quente resort complex (then Pousada do Rio Quente), which attracted mass attention from tourists to the thermal region.
• 1970s: The beginning of the construction boom and the "verticalisation" of the city, when the active construction of hotels and condominiums formed the modern look of the resort.
• 2002: Renovation and official opening of the Nelson Ribeiro Guimarães Airport, allowing for regular commercial flights from all over Brazil.

Stages of City Transformation

The development of Caldas Novas is an example of how a unique natural resource can completely reshape the economy, architecture, and way of life of an entire region. The main milestones of the city's development are linked not so much to political events as to the evolution of the tourism industry and urban planning.

• Transition from agrarian to service economy. In the early 20th century, the city began to move away from the livestock and farming traditional to the state of Goiás. Realising the value of thermal waters led to guest services becoming the main source of income for locals, forming a labour market unique to the Brazilian interior.
• Administrative independence (1911). Obtaining municipality status allowed the city to manage taxes and form a budget independently. This was critical for investments in primary urban infrastructure needed to host the growing number of visitors.
• The era of "verticalisation" (1970–1980s). A period of active urban development radically changed the appearance of Caldas Novas. Instead of low-rise buildings, multi-storey hotels and residential complexes began to be built en masse. This allowed for a sharp increase in the resort's capacity and maximised the use of expensive land around the hot springs.
• Development of the timeshare and condominium model. The introduction of the joint property ownership system (timeshare) became a powerful economic driver. It attracted middle-class capital from across Brazil to the city, stimulated the construction sector, and ensured a steady stream of tourists returning to their "second homes" annually.
• Integration of water parks into the urban environment. An important milestone was the creation of the "hotel-club" concept, where water parks and pools are part of residential complexes. This turned the city into one continuous entertainment centre, where the boundary between housing and attractions is practically erased.
• Modernisation of logistics and airport opening. Airport renovation in the early 2000s and road improvements brought the city out of regional isolation. Caldas Novas ceased to be a resort only for residents of neighbouring states and opened up to tourists from São Paulo and other distant regions of the country.
• Environmental regulation of subsoil use. In recent decades, a crucial stage has been the introduction of strict controls over thermal water extraction. The realisation of the resource's exhaustibility led to the implementation of technologies to return cooled water to the aquifer, ensuring the city's economic sustainability in the future.

Architectural Evolution: From Farm to Resort Metropolis

The architectural appearance of Caldas Novas is a clear illustration of the sharp transition from a traditional rural way of life to a dynamic tourism centre. The city lacks the complex historical layers typical of old capitals; here, history made a leap from colonial simplicity directly to the modern functionalism of high-rises.

Historical Eras and Styles

The city's development is clearly divided into two main periods, each of which formed its own part of the urban environment:

• Colonial and Rural Style (19th — early 20th century)

  Early architecture in Caldas Novas is typical of the Brazilian interior (sertão). These are simple, squat buildings constructed with the climate and available resources in mind. This period is characterized by:

  • Use of adobe brick and massive wooden beams.
  • Tiled roofs with wide eaves to protect walls from tropical downpours.
  • Spacious verandas and large windows for natural ventilation.
  • Absence of decorative excesses, strict utilitarianism.
• Modernism and Resort Functionalism (from the 1970s to the present)

  With the advent of mass tourism, the city began to grow upwards. The modern style of Caldas Novas is dictated by commercial goals: to accommodate the maximum number of guests. This is the era of "verticalisation", concrete, and glass. Hotel architecture often leans towards the international style, where facade aesthetics are subordinate to internal logistics and pool views.

Iconic Buildings and Urban Dominants

Despite the dominance of modern residential towers, important historical objects remain in the city, creating a contrast with the resort skyscrapers:

• Casarão dos Gonzaga
  Built in the early 20th century, this mansion is a benchmark of traditional Goiás architecture. White walls, bright blue window frames, and a cosy courtyard convey the atmosphere of the era when the city was a quiet settlement. Today, the building serves as a cultural centre and crafts museum.
• Matriz Church (Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora das Dores)
  The oldest building in the city, erected in 1850. The temple represents an example of simple religious architecture of the colonial period. Its modest facade, devoid of lavish Baroque decor, and strict geometric lines symbolise the ascetic life of the first settlers.
• Central Hotel Zone
  The modern city centre is formed by a dense development of multi-storey condominiums. The urban planning feature of this area is that buildings are grouped around internal water parks. Streets here often turn into corridors between the high walls of hotel complexes, creating a unique, albeit chaotic, urban landscape.

Distinguished Figures in the City's History

The history of Caldas Novas was created by bold explorers, farsighted politicians, and generous patrons. Below are the key figures whose names are forever inscribed in the chronicles of Brazil's main thermal resort.

• Martinho Coelho de Siqueira
  Role: Explorer, discoverer.
  Considered the "father" of the region. It was he who discovered the hot springs during a hunting expedition in 1777. Assessing the potential of the find, Martinho founded a farm here, which became the starting point for the future settlement of the territory.
• Antônio Coelho de Siqueira
  Role: Landowner, resort pioneer.
  The son of the discoverer, who turned the family farm into a semblance of the first sanatorium. He began systematically receiving patients coming to the springs for healing, laying the foundation of hospitality as the basis of the city's economy.
• Domingos José da Silva
  Role: Colonel, patron.
  Played a decisive role in the official founding of the settlement. In the mid-19th century, he donated part of his lands for the construction of the first chapel (the future Matriz Church). The city centre subsequently formed around this temple.
• Bento de Godoy
  Role: Politician, first intendant (mayor).
  A key figure in the city's political emancipation. After Caldas Novas received the status of an independent municipality in 1911, Bento de Godoy became its first official administrator, organising the local administration.
• Orcalino Ferreira Santos
  Role: Statesman, mayor.
  One of the most influential mayors of the 20th century. His efforts in landscaping and developing social infrastructure significantly modernised the city. In recognition of his merits, the main cultural centre of Caldas Novas is named after him.
• Nelson Ribeiro Guimarães
  Role: Deputy, public figure.
  A politician who actively lobbied for the region's interests at the state and national levels. His contribution to the development of the resort's transport accessibility is immortalised in the name of the local airport, the reconstruction of which opened the city to tourists from all over Brazil.