Picture the bustling streets of São Caetano do Sul. A city with a rich history woven into its very fabric. São Caetano do Sul isn’t just a place; it’s a story waiting to be unfolded.
São Caetano do Sul’s story begins long before its official founding in 1948. The land was occupied as early as the 16th century. It was then known as Tijucuçu. This area belonged to wealthy landowners from Santo André. That settlement however was later dissolved by governor-general Mem de Sá.
Imagine Benedictine monks arriving in the 17th century. They established the Monastery of Saint Benedict and the Tijucuçu Farm. The monks used the farm for cattle raising. In 1717 a chapel dedicated to Saint Cajetan was built. This chapel marks the spot where the Old Matrix of St Caetano stands today. The farm later became known as the São Caetano Farm. The district of São Caetano developed around this farm. It existed within the boundaries of São Paulo city. A census in 1765 recorded its population. These people were mostly farmers and tropeiros. They attended religious services at the São Caetano Chapel.
The year 1871 brought a significant change. The Order of Saint Benedict freed all its slaves in Brazil. This selfless act totaled more than four thousand freed individuals. With the loss of its workforce São Caetano Farm was taken over by the Imperial Government. They established the Colonial Nucleus of São Caetano on July 28 1877. The farm’s land was divided. It was then sold to Italian immigrants between 1877 and 1892. These settlers arrived on the Italian ship Europa. They came from Cappella Maggiore and surrounding areas in the Veneto region of northern Italy.
In 1883 the São Paulo Railway opened a station in São Caetano. In 1889 the government improved roads. These older roads dated back to the 16th century. They connected to the newly built railway. Before the republican coup São Bernardo became its own municipality. Most of the Colonial Nucleus and the old São Caetano district became part of it. São Caetano became a Fiscal District in 1905. Later it became a district itself in 1924.
The fight for autonomy began in 1947. It was spurred by the Jornal de São Caetano. They gathered over five thousand signatures to petition for a plebiscite. In October 1948 a vote was held. The overwhelming majority voted for autonomy. On December 24 1948 the governor made it official. The Municipality of São Caetano do Sul was established. The “do Sul” was added to distinguish it from a similarly named city in Pernambuco.
Today São Caetano do Sul stands as a testament to its resilient past. It’s a city built by hardworking people of various origins. The city thrives economically boasting high standards of living and a unique blend of history and progress. São Caetano do Sul indeed a place of contrasts and captivating stories.