Linhares history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Linhares officially begins on August 22, 1800. The settlement was founded by the governor of the Captaincy of Espírito Santo, Bernardo José de Lorena. Initially, it was conceived as a strategic military post and was named in honour of Dom Rodrigo de Souza Coutinho, the Count of Linhares, who was an influential Portuguese minister of that time.

The first mentions of the area are connected to the necessity of developing the Doce River valley and creating a safe route between the coast and the interior regions of the country, which were rich in minerals.

Key Factors of Development

The transformation of the small settlement into an important city was driven by a number of geographical and strategic reasons:

• Rio Doce (Doce River): The city is located on the banks of this major river, which served as the region's main transport artery, facilitating communication and trade.
• Lake System: The unique hydrography of the region, including numerous lakes (including the famous Lake Juparanã), created favourable conditions for life and agriculture.
• Strategic Importance: The settlement played a key role in controlling the territory and protecting trade routes from external threats, which attracted new settlers and a military contingent.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the early period, the economy of Linhares relied on the utilisation of the region's natural resources. The main occupations of the inhabitants were logging and farming. Fertile soils allowed for the development of agriculture, which over time became the foundation of the city's prosperity.

Cocoa cultivation occupied a special place in the history of development. It was this crop that subsequently brought Linhares widespread fame and economic success, shaping the specific lifestyle of local farmers.

Major Historical Milestones

• 1800 — Governor Bernardo José de Lorena founds a military settlement on the Doce River, which would later become the city of Linhares.
• 1833 — By decree of the Regency Council, the settlement receives the status of a "vila" (small town) and gains its first administrative independence.
• Late 19th Century — The first experiments with cocoa cultivation begin in the region, laying the foundation for the city's future agrarian power.
• 1943 — Official establishment of the modern municipality of Linhares and the final separation of its territories from the neighbouring city of Colatina.
• 1945 — The ceremonial installation of the municipal authority took place, marking the beginning of a new era of self-governance.
• 1954 — Opening of the Getúlio Vargas Bridge over the Doce River, which connected the city to the federal highway BR-101 and brought it out of transport isolation.
• 1970s — A period of intensive agricultural development, securing Linhares the status of the "Cocoa Capital" of the state of Espírito Santo.
• 2004 — Opening of a major gas processing plant (Unidade de Tratamento de Gás de Cacimbas), giving a powerful boost to industrialisation.
• Present Day — The city has established itself as one of the main economic centres of the state, developing the furniture industry and agribusiness.

Key Stages of the City's Transformation

The development of Linhares is a journey from a small agrarian settlement to a powerful regional industrial centre. Below are the main milestones that radically changed the economic and urban appearance of the city:

• Administrative Emancipation (1943): The final separation from the municipality of Colatina and the acquisition of independent city status gave Linhares political autonomy. This allowed local authorities to form their own budget and independently plan urban development.
• Construction of the Getúlio Vargas Bridge (1954): The erection of the bridge across the wide Doce River was a turning point in the city's history. This structure ended transport isolation, connecting the north and south of the state, and opened the way for large-scale trade with the regional capital, Vitória.
• Integration into Federal Highway BR-101: Connection to the main transport artery of the Brazilian coast turned the city into a strategic logistics hub. This attracted investment in warehouse infrastructure and facilitated the transport of local products to the national market.
• Agrotechnological Revolution (Cocoa): The transition from simple farming to high-tech cocoa cultivation using irrigation systems secured the city's status as an agricultural leader. Cocoa exports became the foundation of wealth for many local families and contributed to the development of processing enterprises.
• Formation of the Furniture Cluster: At the end of the 20th century, the city focused on industrialisation, creating conditions for the development of furniture factories. Today, Linhares is one of the largest centres of the furniture industry in Brazil, which significantly diversified the economy that previously depended solely on agriculture.
• Launch of the Gas Processing Complex (2000s): The opening of the gas processing plant in the Cacimbas district (UTGC) took the city's economy to a new level. The influx of specialists, the development of related industries, and tax revenues from the energy sector stimulated a boom in the construction of residential and commercial real estate.

Urban Appearance and Layout

The architectural appearance of Linhares differs significantly from typical colonial cities in Brazil with their narrow, winding streets. Thanks to the flat terrain, the city developed according to principles of regular planning. The central part is characterised by wide straight avenues and a grid network of streets, which ensures good ventilation and convenient navigation. The urban development of the city can be divided into the stage of spontaneous coastal settlement and the stage of planned expansion in the 20th century, stimulated by the agrarian and industrial boom.

Architectural Eras and Styles

Functionalism and eclecticism dominate the buildings of Linhares, reflecting its status as a working and trading centre. It is difficult to find the lavish Baroque typical of the old cities of the "Gold Route" here; instead, the stages of the region's modernisation are clearly represented.

• Late Colonial Style and Eclecticism (19th Century): Only isolated examples of early buildings remain. These are modest single-storey buildings with simple facades, characteristic of the first settlers and trading posts of that time.
• Engineering Modernism (Mid-20th Century): A period of active integration of the city into the country's transport network. The architecture of this time is utilitarian, oriented towards concrete and steel, symbolising progress and industrialisation.
• Modern Architecture (Late 20th — 21st Century): In connection with economic growth, modern commercial buildings, shopping centres, and gated residential complexes have appeared. The style is characterised by the use of glass, metal, and simple geometric forms.

Iconic Structures and Districts

Despite the dominance of modern buildings, the city has objects that form its historical and visual identity:

• Old Church (Igrejinha Velha): Located on Rua da Conceição, this small church, built in the late 19th century (consecrated in 1888), is the main historical monument of the city. It is designed in a simple eclectic style and serves as a reminder of the early period of Linhares' history.
• Square of August 22 (Praça 22 de Agosto): The historic heart of the city, located in the "Lower City" (on the riverbank). The first settlement formed around this square, and the atmosphere of old Linhares has been preserved here.
• Getúlio Vargas Bridge: Although an engineering structure, the bridge is a crucial architectural landmark of the landscape. Its massive structures across the Doce River became a symbol of connecting the city with the rest of Brazil in the 1950s.
• Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Catedral Nossa Senhora da Conceição): A more modern religious site with modernist features, distinguished by the conciseness of its forms and a spacious interior that meets the needs of a growing population.

Distinguished Figures in the History of Linhares

The history and development of Linhares are inextricably linked with the names of visionary politicians, talented engineers, and figures of art. It is thanks to their efforts that the former military post turned into a thriving city with a unique layout and rich culture.

Founding Fathers and Leaders of Development

• Bernardo José de Lorena
  Governor, founder of the city
  A key figure in the history of the region. In 1800, while serving as governor of the Captaincy of Espírito Santo, he made the strategic decision to found a military settlement on the Doce River. It was his foresight regarding the protection of trade routes and territorial control that launched the existence of modern Linhares.
• João Filipe Du Pin Almeida Calmon
  Early settler and landowner
  Arriving in the region in 1809, he became one of the pioneers of the colonisation of these lands. João Filipe is the progenitor of the famous Calmon family, whose representatives have exerted immense influence on the political, economic, and social life of the city for two centuries.
• Roberto Calmon
  Doctor, Mayor, and Urban Planner
  The first native of the city to receive a medical education. Becoming the first mayor after the restoration of Linhares' autonomy in 1943, he played a decisive role in shaping the city's appearance. Together with surveyor Antônio Serapião, he developed a unique master plan with wide avenues, which favourably distinguishes Linhares from many other Brazilian municipalities.
• Joaquim Calmon
  Politician and Reformer
  Mayor who governed the city in the 1950s. His era is remembered for large-scale infrastructure projects, the main ones being the opening of the Getúlio Vargas Bridge and the construction of the first city airport. These steps allowed the region to emerge from transport isolation and accelerate economic growth.
• Emir de Macedo Gomes
  Doctor and Statesman
  A native of the state of Bahia who became a true legend of Linhares. He went down in history as one of the city's first doctors, and later as a successful mayor (1955–1958) and state deputy. His contribution to the creation of the healthcare and education system in the region is considered an invaluable legacy.

Figures of Culture and Art

• Antônio Serapião Souza
  Surveyor, Poet, and Journalist
  A Renaissance man on a city scale. On the one hand, he technically designed the famous straight streets of Linhares, and on the other, he left a bright mark as a writer and publicist who documented the spirit and events of his time.
• Wener Niero (Alemão do Forró)
  Musician and Composer
  A bright representative of modern culture born in Linhares. Having received the unofficial title of "King of Capixaba Forró" (O Rei do Forró Capixaba), he popularises the musical traditions of the region throughout Brazil, attracting attention to his hometown.