Paulo Afonso history

Taming the São Francisco River

The history of Paulo Afonso is relatively young compared to Brazil's colonial cities. Until the mid-20th century, this area was primarily known for the majestic waterfall of the same name on the São Francisco River. Initially, a small settlement called Forquilha existed here, serving as a stopover for cattle drovers and traders.

The official date of political emancipation and the birth of the city is considered to be July 28, 1958, when it received municipality status, separating from the city of Glória. However, the actual foundation of the modern city began a decade earlier with the arrival of industrialization.

Key Factors of Formation

The transformation of a modest settlement into an important regional center of the state of Bahia was driven by a combination of natural and man-made factors:

• Energy Potential: The main driver of growth was the creation of the "São Francisco Hydroelectric Company" (CHESF) in 1948. The decision to harness the power of the waterfalls to generate electricity forever changed the destiny of the region.
• Geography: The unique landscape with its deep canyon made this place ideal for the construction of a cascade of hydroelectric power plants.
• Strategic Location: The city is located at the junction of three states (Bahia, Alagoas, and Pernambuco), which quickly turned it into a logistics hub.

Early Economy and Cultural Features

In the early years, the economy of Paulo Afonso depended entirely on the "construction of the century." This formed a unique social environment: thousands of workers from all over northeastern Brazil flocked here, known as "barrageiros" (dam builders). This mixing of traditions turned the city into a true cultural "melting pot."

A distinct feature of early development was clear zoning. The city was effectively divided into two parts: the well-planned "CHESF Camp" (Acampamento da Chesf) with parks, schools, and hospitals for company employees, and the rapidly growing residential quarters around it. Over time, Paulo Afonso outgrew the status of a simple workers' settlement, becoming the recognized energy capital of the region and a center for tourism.

Major Milestones in the History of Paulo Afonso

• 1725 — The lands of the region were granted to the Garcia d'Ávila family under the Portuguese land ownership system, marking the beginning of the area's colonial history.
• 1859 — The Emperor of Brazil, Pedro II, visited the Paulo Afonso Falls, personally witnessing the grandeur of the São Francisco River.
• 1913 — Industrialist Delmiro Gouveia built the region's first small hydroelectric plant, "Angiquinho," proving the energy potential of the local waters.
• 1948 — The São Francisco Hydroelectric Company (CHESF) was officially established, becoming the main engine of the region's development.
• 1949 — Construction began on the first major power plant and the residential settlement for workers, which later grew into the modern city.
• 1955 — The grand opening of the first hydroelectric power plant of the complex — Paulo Afonso I — took place.
• 1958 — Paulo Afonso received city status and became an independent municipality, separating from the Glória district.
• 1961 — The second station of the cascade (Paulo Afonso II) was commissioned, significantly expanding the power supply to the country's northeast.
• 1979 — The Paulo Afonso IV station was launched, a unique engineering structure with a massive underground machine hall.
• 1990s — After the completion of the main dam construction phases, the city began reorienting its economy towards the service sector and trade.
• 2000s — Paulo Afonso established itself as an important tourism center, attracting travelers with its picturesque canyons and opportunities for eco-tourism.

Stages of Development and Transformation

The development of Paulo Afonso is an example of how a massive industrial project can shape a unique urban space. Below are the key stages that defined the modern look and status of the city:

• CHESF Urban Planning Experiment (1940s – 1950s). The construction of hydroelectric power plants led to the creation of a unique urban structure. CHESF built the so-called "Camp" (Acampamento) for its employees — a district with advanced infrastructure for that time, including schools, hospitals, and gardens. This set a high standard of urbanism, contrasting with the spontaneous development of the surroundings, and defined the zoning of the city for decades to come.
• Political Emancipation (1958). Gaining the status of an independent municipality was a turning point. This allowed the city to form its own budget, develop municipal services, and build infrastructure regardless of the energy company's plans, transforming a temporary builders' settlement into a fully-fledged administrative center.
• Transport Integration and the Dom Pedro II Bridge. The construction of the metal bridge across the São Francisco River canyon was of critical importance to the economy. This structure not only connected the states of Bahia and Alagoas but also turned Paulo Afonso into a vital logistics hub through which cargo and passenger flows pass in the northeast of the country.
• Commissioning of the Paulo Afonso IV Complex (1979). The launch of one of the largest underground power plants in the world definitively secured the city's status as the "Energy Capital" of Brazil. This stage attracted highly qualified engineers and technical intelligentsia to the city, which significantly influenced the cultural and educational level of the population.
• Economic Diversification and Trade Development (1990s). Upon completion of the active phase of dam construction, the city faced the need to provide employment for the population. This led to the rapid development of the service and trade sectors. Paulo Afonso became a commercial center for dozens of neighboring municipalities, attracting shoppers with its markets and shopping centers.
• Tourism Renaissance (2000s – Present). Realizing the tourism potential of the São Francisco River canyon and the man-made landscapes led to the development of the hospitality industry. The city began positioning itself as a center for adventure and eco-tourism, utilizing the hydroelectric infrastructure and natural beauty as main attractions.
• Emergence as an Educational Hub. In recent decades, the opening of campuses of federal universities and colleges (such as UNIVASF) has transformed the social environment. The influx of students and the development of the academic environment have rejuvenated the city and created a base for training personnel not only in energy but also in medicine and technology.

Urban Development: A City of Two Faces

The architectural appearance of Paulo Afonso is unique for the Brazilian Northeast. Unlike most cities in the state of Bahia, which grew from colonial settlements, Paulo Afonso is an example of planned urban planning of the mid-20th century. The history of its construction is inextricably linked to the creation of the hydroelectric complex, which led to a clear division of the urban environment into two zones:

• The "Acampamento" (Acampamento da CHESF): A planned district for engineers and company employees. It was built on the concept of a "garden city": with wide tree-lined streets, single-story bungalows, a lack of fences, and developed social infrastructure.
• Spontaneous Development (Vila Poty): Districts that grew around the company camp, where traders and workers not employed by CHESF settled. This part of the city developed more chaotically and densely, representing typical Brazilian urbanization of that time.

Architectural Styles and Eras

Since the city is young, there is no colonial baroque or 19th-century classicism here. The main architectural stock belongs to the period of industrialization and modernization of Brazil.

1. Industrial Style and Functionalism (1940s – 1970s)

The dominant style, dictated by the city's purpose. Buildings were designed with a focus on practicality, durability, and suitability for the Caatinga (semi-arid) climate.

• Characteristic features: Use of concrete, large-scale engineering structures, strict geometric forms.
• Iconic objects: The hydroelectric power plant complex (especially machine halls and spillways), the Dom Pedro II Bridge (Ponte Metálica) — a masterpiece of engineering connecting the banks of the canyon.

2. Rustic Style / Stone Architecture (Late 1940s)

A unique feature of early Paulo Afonso architecture is the use of local natural stone (granite) in the construction of public buildings. This gave the city a recognizable, austere, yet harmonious look.

• Iconic building: The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi (Igreja de São Francisco de Assis). Built in 1949, it is the city's calling card. The temple was erected from local stone mined during the excavation of the hydroelectric tunnels. Its style combines the simplicity of early Christian forms with the durability of a fortress.

3. Californian Bungalow Style (1950s)

Residential development in the Acampamento area was inspired by American suburbs and the mid-century Californian style.

• Characteristic features: Single-story houses with low-pitched roofs, large verandas for sun protection, integration with the surrounding landscape, and abundant landscaping of the plots.

4. Modern Brazilian Architecture (1980s – Present)

As the city grew and expanded beyond the CHESF plan, buildings typical of modern Brazil appeared in Paulo Afonso: multi-story residential buildings, shopping centers, and university campuses made of glass and concrete, reflecting the city's transformation into a regional hub for services and education.

Historical Figures and the Cangaço Phenomenon

• Maria Bonita — Queen of Cangaço.
  A native of these parts (born on the Malhada da Caiçara farm, now within the municipality's territory). The first woman to join a "cangaço" band. She became a symbol of female strength and rebellion, and her house-museum is one of the main tourist attractions in the region.
• Lampião (Virgulino Ferreira da Silva) — Leader of the Cangaço movement.
  Although born in Pernambuco, the history of the "King of Cangaço" is inextricably linked to the canyons of the São Francisco River in the Paulo Afonso area. The complex landscape of the Caatinga served as an ideal hideout for his group, and many historical routes in the city are dedicated to his activities.

Pioneers and City Founders

• Delmiro Gouveia — Industrialist and Visionary.
  A pioneer of electrification in the Brazilian Northeast. Back in 1913, long before the creation of CHESF, he built the first small hydroelectric plant, "Angiquinho," right in the Paulo Afonso Falls, proving the river's energy potential. His legacy is considered the foundation upon which the city later grew.
• Abel Barbosa e Silva — Politician and Community Leader.
  Considered the "political father" of the city. He led the movement for the emancipation of Paulo Afonso, which was originally just a district of the city of Glória. Thanks to his efforts, in 1958 the settlement received the status of an independent municipality.
• Dom Mário Zanetta — Religious and Social Leader.
  The first bishop of the Diocese of Paulo Afonso. He played a key role in humanizing the city, advocating for the rights of the poorest segments of the population and developing social projects during the period of rapid industrial growth.

Cultural Figures

• Castro Alves — Romantic Poet.
  One of Brazil's greatest poets visited the waterfall in the 19th century. Impressed by the power of nature, he wrote the famous poem "The Waterfall of Paulo Afonso" (A Cachoeira de Paulo Afonso), glorifying this place in literature long before the appearance of the city and power plants.