The coat of arms was created by Resolution Number 224 of January 8, 1929, with Mayor Paul Buarque. The project was created by Guilherme de Almeida (the same who fought for São Paulo at the Paulista Revolution) and designed by Wasat Rodrigues.
It consists of a Portuguese shield, in blue, and the PII emblem in gold in the Imperial Crown, also in gold, and at the bottom of a mountain, the eagle of Germany in black.
On top of the shield there is a crown of five towers in silver. At side rails and their sleepers in natural color surrounded by blue ribbon, which, in gold letters, is the inscription "Semper Altiora Petens".
The Portuguese shield is a tribute to the discoverers of Brazil.
The crown and the PII emblem is a tribute to the founder of the city, Dom Pedro II.
The mountain is the Serra da Estrela, where the city is located.
The Crown in silver with five towers on top coat is a Portuguese symbol for cities.
The rails with sleepers recall the Petrópolis glory of owning the 1st railway built in Brazil.
The Latin inscription "Semper Altiora Petens" mean Always Seeking The Highest
The eagle, refers to Germany, home of the first settlers of Petrópolis.
City: Petrópolis
State: Rio de Janeiro
Country: Brazil
My Commentary: Petrópolis, although being in Rio de Janeiro, has all elements of being a very interesting town. It's on the mountains, it's full of History and in this case related to the Imperial Brazil, it had German settlers, it has many historical buildings and the people and the politicians care about them. Surely one of the best destinations in Brazil.
Links:
A História de Petróplis - A Facebook page about Petrópolis' History
Interesting Facts:
- Petrópolis is considered the first planned city of Brazil with a project by Júlio Frederico Koeler. He divided Petrópolis in many areas and many of them with locations' names of Germany.
- When the first radio transmission took place in Brazil in 1922, there were 3 receivers of the signal: One in São Paulo, one in Niterói and another one in Petrópolis.
- The first summer that the Imperial Family spent in Petropolis was in 1847-1848 when they stayed at Casa Grande of the farm at Córrego Seco.
- The first Germans to arrive in Petrópolis came in 1823 on board of the ship "Justine". The ship was comig from Havre to Autralia when the commander of the "Justine" decided to make a scale in Rio de Janeiro due to a passenger mutiny because of the bad treatment they were having. Those 235 people stayed in Brazil and were relocated to Petrópolis and because of the good results they had at work, many Germans came afterwards.
History of Petrópolis: In 1830, D. Pedro I bought Córrego Seco Farm to built the royal residence in the highlands of Rio de Janeiro, where the Imperial Family used to escape from the hot summer of Quinta da Boa Vista. In Europe, 19th Century, it was created a tendency that after sometime was allowed to all population: the vacation. Royal families used to build the house in a different place, in order to have a good rest during the summer vacation. The Russian Czars had their houses in St Petersburg; the French crown went to Versailles Palace. The Brazilian Empire also has summer vacation time. However, the court did not like the D. Pedro I project. They said that the farm did not provide the minimum of men and horses to cross the streets. The things became worst when the local that was chosen to be the city center was a swamp, full of insects. But there was someone that enjoyed the idea and used to spent unforgettable vacations, the Imperator’s son, little Pedro. In 1831, D.Pedro I abdicated the throne and went back to Portugal. The little Prince, Pedro, was left in Brazil, in order to start his preparation to govern the colony. During 12 years, the project Petrópolis habitation was almost forgotten, but there was a man that revived this project, the engineer and military Júlio Frederico Koeler. Koeler was born in Hesse-Darmstadt and became Brazilian naturalized. In 1837, he built parts of the road Serra da Estrela and Estrada do Itamaraty, without the use of slavery workforce. He convinced German immigrants that were dissatisfied with the treatment they were receiving in the ships to stay in Rio de Janeiro. Thus, on March 16th 1843, D. Pedro II signed the decree 155, in which Koeler was allowed to build the town, the summer palace, a church and a cemetery. After this well succeeded experience with German immigrants, Koeler brought more 2 thousand Germans to Petrópolis. Petrópolis became the first projected city from Latin America, with its dominated rivers, its gardens and its big houses. After its construction, the Imperial City received its legacy. Until today it is possible to visit and revive the colonial period through the buildings and projected streets. (source)
Anthem of Petrópolis:
Geraldo Ventura Dias is the author of the Anthem of Petrópolis, he won a contest to the official anthem held on July 20th 1972.
Petrópolis,
tens do passado gloriosas tradições,
Petrópolis,
cultura e fibra de homens de outras nações,
Que lutaram e criaram as riquezas,
guardaram as belezas
que devemos defender.
Petrópolis,
tranqüilidade, nossa fonte de saúde;
Petrópolis,
o teu futuro é a tua juventude
que estuda e trabalha consciente
de que a luta no presente,
vitória vai trazer.
Para frente, para o alto,
construir,
com amor e com vontade,
progredir,
vem viver aqui na serra,
onde a sorte nos sorri.
Quem pensa que é feliz em outra terra
é porque
ainda não viveu aqui.
Original video by Débora Damieri
My Photos in Petrópolis 2015
Part of: Trip: Rio de Janeiro, Petrópolis and Penedo
Part of: Trip: Rio de Janeiro, Petrópolis and Penedo
It was really a relief to arrive to Petrópolis, while driving up the hill the traffic was too slow and the sun was still burning, so arriving there was completely welcome. The difference from Petrópolis to Rio de Janeiro City is enormous. As it's possible to see in the pictures, the place is more like a mountain town with many historical buildings and even the people is different. Petrópolis was the biggest surprise for me during that trip since it was my first time there.
My video of a car ride in Petrópolis
Saint Peter of Alcantara Cathedral - A wonderful French gothic building with a mausoleum with remains of some members of the Brazilian Imperial Family.
Saint Peter of Alcantara Cathedral - Sunday Mass
The front view from the Cathedral at night
The front view from the Cathedral at night
Praça Princesa Isabel -22.505925, -43.179752
Praça Princesa Isabel - In this park there is a monument for the first German settlers who were brought to Petrópolis by request of the Emperor Pedro II
A monument in tribute to 14 Bis
Central area of Petrópolis
Central area of Petrópolis
View from from Bohemia Brewery
View from from Bohemia Brewery
Bohemia Brewery - RJ -22.506602, -43.185009
Bruno and I having lunch at Bohemia brewery
The cathedral in a view from Av. Köeller
Brazilian Expeditionary Force Museum - Brazil at World War II
Brazilian Expeditionary Force Museum - The logo of Brazil, a smoking snake, which means things will be brutal.
Logo of "Senta a Pua" another inspiration motto of Brazil during World War II
German styled houses
German styled houses
