Domingos Fernandes Statue

Amidst the bustling square, a bronze figure stands tall, a silent sentinel of Itu’s past. This is the Domingos Fernandes Statue, a tribute to the very man who laid the foundations of this city. Domingos Fernandes, born in 1577, wasn’t just a name etched in history books. He was a bandeirante, an explorer who charted the unknown territories of what is now São Paulo. He wasn’t content with mere exploration. Domingos Fernandes yearned to build, to create, to leave an enduring mark on the land. Together with his son-in-law, Cristóvão Diniz, he established the village of Itu around 1610. It began as a small settlement called Utuguaçu, a haven for indigenous people from the sertão. He dedicated the village to Our Lady of Candelaria, building a humble chapel that would later become the magnificent Igreja do Bom Jesus. Domingos Fernandes’s vision transcended the establishment of a simple village. He envisioned Itu as a thriving community, a testament to the spirit of exploration and the harmonious coexistence of diverse cultures. His legacy is not just in the city itself, but in its very soul. The Domingos Fernandes Statue, unveiled in 2010, captures his pioneering spirit. It depicts him not with the traditional bandeirante hat, but bareheaded, showcasing his mameluco heritage, a blend of Portuguese and indigenous ancestry. One hand clutches the Portuguese flag, while the other holds a hatchet, symbolizing his dual identity and his role in shaping the region’s destiny. The statue stands as a timeless reminder of the man who dared to dream and build, whose vision gave birth to a city.