Chapecó history

The city of Chapecó, located in the west of the state of Santa Catarina in the southern part of Brazil, has a rich history closely linked to waves of European immigration and the development of the region's fertile lands.

Founding and First Mentions

The official founding date of the municipality of Chapecó is considered to be 25 August 1917. Before this time, the territory was inhabited by indigenous peoples, and the region itself was the subject of territorial disputes. The creation of the new settlement was part of a state strategy to integrate western lands and stimulate their colonisation. The name "Chapecó" comes from the language of the local indigenous people and has several interpretations, one of which is "the place from where the path to the harvest is seen".

Key Factors of Formation

Geographical location played a decisive role in the city's development. Situated on a plateau, Chapecó found itself at the centre of a fertile agricultural region. The key factors in its growth were:

• Agrarian Colonisation: Attracting settlers from Europe, mainly from Italy and Germany, as well as migrants from the state of Rio Grande do Sul, became the basis for land development.
• Timber Industry: Initially, the economy focused on logging and processing timber, particularly Araucaria, which provided the first impetus for economic development.
• Transport Accessibility: The gradual development of the road network connected Chapecó with other regions of the country, turning it into an important logistics and trade hub in the west of Santa Catarina state.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

From the very beginning, Chapecó was formed as a multicultural centre. The traditions and customs of Italian and German immigrants had a huge influence on the architecture, cuisine, and social life of the city. The economy quickly shifted from logging to agriculture and agribusiness. The development of cooperatives and enterprises for meat and grain processing laid the foundation for Chapecó's modern economic specialisation, known today as one of the largest agribusiness centres in Brazil.

Key Dates in the History of Chapecó

The history of Chapecó is a journey from a small settlement to one of the most important agribusiness centres in Brazil. Below are the main milestones in the city's development.

• 1882 — A military colony was founded on the territory of the future city, which was the first step towards establishing Brazilian control over the region, previously inhabited mainly by indigenous peoples.
• 25 August 1917 — Considered the official date of the founding of the municipality of Chapecó following the end of the Contestado War.
• 1920s — The beginning of active colonisation of the region by migrants, mainly of Italian and German descent, who laid the foundations of agriculture.
• 1950s — Rapid development of the logging and wood processing industry, which gave a powerful economic boost to the city's development.
• 10 May 1973 — The football club "Chapecoense" (Associação Chapecoense de Futebol) was founded through the merger of two local teams.
• 1977 — Chapecoense wins the Santa Catarina state championship for the first time, marking a significant event in the city's sporting life.
• 1978 — The local football club debuts in Série A, the top division of the Brazilian championship.
• 2013 — Chapecoense takes second place in Série B and returns to the elite of Brazilian football after many years.
• 28 November 2016 — A tragic plane crash in Colombia claimed the lives of most of the Chapecoense team, who were flying to the final of the Copa Sudamericana.
• 5 December 2016 — CONMEBOL posthumously awards Chapecoense the title of winner of the 2016 Copa Sudamericana.

Main Stages of Development

The development of Chapecó is a story of transformation from a small settlement into one of the main agribusiness centres of Brazil. Key milestones on this path reflect economic, cultural, and social transformations.

• Founding and Agrarian Colonisation (Early 20th Century): Officially founded on 25 August 1917, the city began to be actively settled by descendants of Italian and German immigrants. They brought with them a culture of small family farming and cooperation, laying the foundations for the future agricultural sector.
• The "Timber Cycle" (1940–1960s): The city's economy received a powerful impulse thanks to the forestry industry. Active logging and processing of timber, especially the valuable Araucaria, contributed to population growth, infrastructure development, and the accumulation of capital, which was later reinvested in other industries.
• Emergence as an Agribusiness Capital (1970s): A key transition occurred from logging to agribusiness. Thanks to the cooperative movement founded by early settlers, Chapecó became a centre for meat processing (pork and poultry) and grains. This period defined the modern economic specialisation of the city.
• Development of Education and Science: The creation of higher education institutions, such as the Community University of the Chapecó Region (Unochapecó), turned the city into an educational hub for the entire west of Santa Catarina state. This facilitated the training of qualified personnel for the growing economy.
• Cultural and Sports Rise (from 1973): The founding of the football club "Chapecoense" became a major cultural event. The club not only united the citizens but also brought fame to Chapecó across the country and beyond, becoming a symbol of the city.
• Infrastructure Modernisation (21st Century): The expansion and modernisation of the airport, as well as improvements to the road network, strengthened Chapecó's position as an important logistics hub. This ensured more efficient distribution of agribusiness products and increased the city's accessibility.
• Technological Breakthrough in Agribusiness: In recent decades, the city has actively implemented innovations in agriculture and the food industry, confirming its status as one of the technological leaders in Brazil's agricultural sector.

The architectural appearance of Chapecó reflects its century-long history, marked by rapid urbanisation and economic growth. Being a young and planned city, it does not boast Gothic or Renaissance styles, but instead demonstrates striking examples of 20th and 21st-century architectural trends that have shaped its modern look.

Early 20th Century: Wooden Architecture and Eclecticism

At the dawn of its existence, in the first half of the 20th century, Chapecó's architecture was predominantly wooden. This period, known as the "timber cycle", left a legacy of simple and functional structures built by the first settlers from among Italian and German immigrants. As the city's prosperity grew, more monumental stone buildings began to appear. The main architectural symbol of this era became the Cathedral of Santo Antônio (Catedral Santo Antônio). Although the first wooden church burned down in 1950, the foundation stone for the new cathedral was laid in 1951, and it opened in 1956. Its style can be described as eclectic with elements of Neo-Romanesque and Neo-Gothic trends, making it a key historical building in the city.

1960–1980s: The Era of Brazilian Modernism

The economic boom associated with the development of the agro-industry triggered a construction boom in the mid-20th century. During this period, Brazilian Modernism became the dominant style, largely defining the look of the central streets, especially the main city avenue — Avenida Getúlio Vargas. This style is characterised by functionality, the use of reinforced concrete structures, clean geometric lines, and large glass surfaces. Many office buildings, banks, and residential blocks built in this era still form the business centre of Chapecó.

Contemporary Architecture (from the 1990s to Present)

Since the end of the 20th century, the city's architecture has become more diverse, absorbing global trends of postmodernism and contemporary architecture. New projects are moving away from the strict functionality of modernism in favour of more expressive forms and the use of modern materials. Landmark objects of this period include large shopping centres, the campus of the Federal University of Fronteira Sul (UFFS), as well as the completely renovated Arena Condá — the home stadium of the Chapecoense football club. These modern structures symbolise Chapecó's current status as a dynamically developing regional centre.

Distinguished Figures in the History of Chapecó

The history of Chapecó is inextricably linked with the people who, through their labour, talent, and dedication, shaped the image and character of the city. From founding pioneers to modern leaders and sports heroes, here are a few key figures who have left a significant mark on the life of the city.

Serafim Enoss Bertaso

An engineer, entrepreneur, and politician, Serafim Bertaso is considered one of the central figures in the formation of Chapecó. The son of one of the founders of the colonisation company, he actively participated in the planning and development of the city in the first half of the 20th century. He served as mayor and was the first head of the Secretariat for Western Affairs of the state of Santa Catarina. His contribution to infrastructure development was so significant that the city's main airport bears his name — Serafim Enoss Bertaso Airport.

Paulo Pimentel

Although his political career is mainly associated with the state of Paraná, Paulo Pimentel is a native of Chapecó. He served as Governor of the state of Paraná from 1966 to 1971, and was also a federal deputy. His career is an example of how natives of Chapecó have reached significant heights in the national political arena.

José Fritsch

A prominent political figure whose career is closely linked to Chapecó. José Fritsch served as mayor of the city and was later elected federal deputy, holding the position of Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture of Brazil. His work as mayor and at the federal level contributed to the socio-economic development of the city and the region.

Sandro Pallaoro

An entrepreneur and former president of the Chapecoense football club, who became a symbol of its "golden era". Under his leadership, the club made its way from the lower divisions to the elite of Brazilian football and reached the final of the Copa Sudamericana in 2016. Sandro Pallaoro tragically died in the plane crash along with the team, and his name is forever inscribed in the history of the city as one of its most successful and dedicated sports managers.

Luciano Buligon

A lawyer and politician who served as Mayor of Chapecó during one of the most difficult periods in its history. It was he who led the city during the tragedy with the Chapecoense club in 2016. His actions in organising aid for the families of the victims and coordinating international efforts earned him national and global recognition, and his leadership qualities helped the city survive its darkest days.

Marcos Danilo Padilha

Better known simply as Danilo, this goalkeeper became a true idol for Chapecoense fans and a symbol of the hero team. His incredible saves, especially in the semi-final match of the 2016 Copa Sudamericana, took the team to the historic final. Danilo was one of those who perished in the plane crash, and was posthumously voted Brazil's Player of the Year for 2016 by the fans.