Pomerode is a city in the Itajaí Valley, in Santa Catarina State, Southern Brazil. Settled in the 19th century by German immigrants from the historical region of Pomerania (which also includes part of current Poland), it is considered to be the most authentic German town in Brazil.

Understand

In many places in the city, there are houses built according to the typical half-timbered Germanic architecture, German food restaurants and parties that celebrate the Germanic traditions, carefully preserved by its inhabitants.

Get in

There are regular busses from Blumenau on weekdays, which take about 1 hour. A private transfer from Blumenau is about 60-70 R$ (more during Oktoberfest in Blumenau).

See

• Pomerode Zoo
• 1 Pomeranian Museum (Museu Pomerano). Dedicated to telling the city's history and portraying the arrival of European immigrants since the mid-nineteenth century in the Itajaí Valley .  

Do

Every year, in January, the Pomeranian Festival takes place in the city, a festival known for its focus on German culture, much like the Oktoberfest. There are many aspects of the local culture that take place at these celebrations, such as the traditional Pomeranian wedding ritual, typical food and drink, and German music.

There is a craft fair, selling local and regional products: clothing, the traditional cucas, chocolates, and sausages, with emphasis on Fensterbilder (window pictures), produced in the city. You can find articles of typical German clothing, mugs, straps, hats, and buttons for decoration.

Competitions are held, such as the draft beer, wood sawing competition, target shooting, and the Miss da Festa Pomeranian contest. Each edition brings together around 25,000 people and lasts for almost 2 weeks.

There are also other parties, such as Osterfest (Easter), Christmas, and the Flea Market (used objects fair).