Wanderlust of a Flâneur: Santo Antônio do Pinhal (São Paulo

The coat of arms of Santo Antônio do Pinhal (January 23, 1998): the red cross with twelve golden acorns, comes from the coat of arms of the noble Portuguese family of Bulhões, whose most distinguished member was St. Anthony of Lisbon (also known as of Padua) patron saint of the city and the pine trees (Araucaria angustifolia) alludes to the great quantity of those trees found everywhere near the city; the three fountains represent the many fountains of mineral water and to the sources of many brooks and the base indented symbolize the mountainous ground where the city stands. The supporters show that vegetables, such as tomatoes are important agricultural products of the region and that in the well protected woodlands which surrounds the city there are endless numbers of wildflowers, especially a great variety of orchids. The shield is surmounted by a mural crown appropriate to a city and a scroll below the shield bears the name of the city. (Heraldry of the World)

City: Santo Antônio do Pinhal

State: São Paulo

Country: Brazil

GPS Coordinates

My Commentary: Santo Antônio do Pinhal is a very calm town on the mountains. It's a smaller version of Campos do Jordão, less popular however less crowded. There are many nature places to visit, but it's better to go by car. There are some wells to drink pure water, the weather is usually cooler than the towns of Vale do Paraíba below the mountains and there are nice restaurants to eat at.

Links:

Official Website of the Municipality of Santo Antônio do Pinhal

Santo Antônio do Pinhal on Facebook

Interesting Facts:

- Santo Antônio do Pinhal has the status of "Estância Climática" given by the State of São Paulo which means that the town is a place with special weather, nature, water and/or air condition.

- In the History of Santo Antônio do Pinhal, the Paulistas Pinhalenses and Pindamonhangabenses fought hard (mostly against Mineiros) to keep the territory in Paulista possession.

- Santo Antônio do Pinhal had a Japanese Colony named Colônia Renópolis

History of Santo Antônio do Pinhal: Since the establishment of the Capitanias, the area of Santo Antônio do Pinhal was disputed by the Capitania of São Vicente (São Paulo) and the Capitania of Minas Gerais. The Paulista Bandeirantes were explorers and they did many track crossing through that region. In a certain point the Mineiros had their headquarters and houses in the area, but the Paulista Inácio Caetano Vieira de Carvalho reclaimed the territory for São Paulo in 1813 with the help of the authorities of Pindamonhangaba. Once more the Mineiros invaded and re-built their headquarter but finally on August 31st in 1813 the Paulistas expelled the Mineiros out with again the help of Pindamonhangaba. Their buildings were empty until November when the Paulistas burned everything down to send with it a final message to the invaders from Minas Gerais. The name "Quartel Queimado" (Burned Headquarters) appears in maps from those times. In 1811 a road connecting the two Capitanias was finally finished and some areas in the high parts of Mantiqueira became São Bento do Sapucaí (including where today is Santo Antônio do Pinhal). The region grew prosper and the Santo Antônio chapel located in the Pinhal neighbourhood started to receive many donations including the high value donation of Antônio José de Oliveira and his wife who donated lands.Only in 1960 the emancipation was established officially and the new town was named Santo Antônio do Pinhal.

Anthem of Santo Antônio do Pinhal:

Minha Terra (My Land)

Lyrics and melody: Milton Barbosa Monteiro

Na Serra da Mantiqueira

Existe um lindo lugar!

É minha terra querida,

A sua beleza aqui vou cantar!

Santo Antônio do Pinhal!

Nunca esquecerei,

A sua paisagem colossal,

Jamais outra igual, encontrarei!

Tens os mais lindos pinheirais,