Santa Cruz do Sul is a city in central Rio Grande do Sul. The city sits about 150 km from the capital, Porto Alegre.
Understand
The city of Santa Cruz do Sul was founded in 1844 and is culturally famous for its Germanic traditions and events, including the Oktoberfest, which annually attracts thousands of tourists to the city, mobilizing thus the entire economy of the region.
Get in
Get around
See
- St. John the Baptist Cathedral (Catedral de São João Batista), Getúlio Vargas Square, ☏ +55 51 3711-3622. One of the largest cathedrals in all of Brazil. The main edifice was built between 1928 and 1932, and the two 82-meter (269 ft) tall towers were added much later; it was finished in 1977.
- Racing Circuit (Autódromo Internacional de Santa Cruz do Sul). The Autódromo Internacional de Santa Cruz do Sul is the newest circuit in use in Brazil. The track has a total length of 3530.7 meters, with 14 curves (seven right and seven left) of high, medium and low speeds. Considered by the pilots one of the most challenging and enjoyable circuits of Brazil. Inaugurated on June 12, 2005, the track receives races of the main automobile categories - Stock car, Clio Cup, Formula 3, as well as the Brazilian Speed Motorcycling Championship.
- Schoenstatt Sanctuary, BR 471 km 53. Belonging to the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary Secular Institute, the Shrine of the Thrice Admirable Mother of Schoenstatt was inaugurated on 11 December 1977, being a faithful copy of the original one founded in Germany in 1914 by Father Joseph Kentnich.
Do
- Oktoberfest, R. Galvão Costa 755, ☏ +55 51 3713-1288. Its venue is the locally famous Oktoberfest Park, with 14 hectares, featuring sports, leisure and tourism infrastructure, a gymnasium with capacity for 8,000 people, soccer practice pitches (eleven or seven players), basketball, tennis, futsal and bocha courts, BMX track, sports and exhibitions pavilions.
Buy
Eat
- Pizzaria Mammamia, Rua Tenente Coronel Brito, 909, ☏ +55 51 3711-03442. 18h - midnight.
- Galeteria Brolese Solo, Av. Senador Alberto Pasqualini, 326, ☏ +55 51 3717-7206. 19h - midnight.
- Restaurante e Churrascaria Centenário, Rua Ten. Cel. Brito, 485, ☏ +55 51 3713-1495.
Drink
- Heilige Brew Pub, Rua Borges de Medeiros, 414, ☏ +55 51 3717-2008, contato@heilige.com.br. 18:00-02:00 (closed Sundays and Mondays).
Sleep
- Hotel Antônio's, Rua Senador Pinheiro Machado, 998, ☏ +55 51 3713-1909, fax: +55 51 3713-1140, hotelantonios@hotelantonios.com.br.
- Village Hotel, Rua Venâncio Aires, 891, ☏ +55 51 3713-1025, fax: +55 51 3713-1025, villagehotel@pop.com.br.