Once known as “serras dos raios” or “mountain range of lightning,” Arujá holds a unique place in history. Today we’ll delve into Arujá’s story. Arujá is a city northeast of Sāo Paulo.
Arujá’s history began long before it was a municipality. Imagine the landscape before 1700. Flora and fauna thrived untouched by urban development. The area’s paths served as arteries of its natural habitat. Tropeiros or “faisqueiros” traveled a vicinal road from Praça da Sé to Rio de Janeiro. These men extracted gold from the Rio Jaguari. They carried it to Bonsucesso and then to Guarulhos.
The discovery of gold marked the first step in Arujá’s development. Later came timber extraction. This timber fueled industrial and domestic energy for the growing city of Sāo Paulo.
The village of Arujá originated with the chapel of Senhor Bom Jesus. José de Carvalho Pinto began its construction in 1781. His brother Capitão João de Carvalho Pinto completed it. In 1852 Arujá became a district of Mogi das Cruzes. Later in 1944, it was transferred to Santa Isabel.
The extraction of vegetation caused problems. It contributed to the first major deforestation in the region. Evidence shows rectangular grooves called “carvoeiras”. These were large pits used for charcoal production.
Wood was burned in large quantities covered with grass and earth. This process transformed the wood into charcoal. This devastation of flora and fauna lasted from the 19th to the 20th century.
The sites of these “carvoeiras” evolved into residences. Subsistence farming emerged leading to the rise of large farms. The agricultural production especially coffee contributed to the first urban areas. These areas were concentrated on the old Arujá-Bonsucesso road. It was also known as the Sāo Paulo-Rio road.
Near the Igreja Senhor Bom Jesus de Arujá buildings sprung up. This remained until the 1950s. Arujá was elevated to municipality status. It separated from Santa Isabel in 1959. The official installation took place on January 1, 1960.
In the 1950s the first subdivisions appeared in the central area. These subdivisions gave rise to the first condominiums. The municipality computerized in 1974. The expansion continued into the 1980s. Developments extended toward the north and east mainly for the working class.
From the 1990s Arujá saw new growth. Industrial centers, tree planting, leisure clubs, sports facilities, and golf clubs emerged. New horizontal condominiums improved the quality of life. Since April 19, 1985, Arujá adopted the nickname “Cidade Natureza” or “Nature City.”
The name Arujá has several interpretations. One interpretation comes from a 1752 book. It refers to the “Serras de Arujá” as a place of lightning strikes. Another interpretation comes from Teodoro Sampaio. His 1928 work suggests “abundant small bellied fish” or “guarus”.
Arujá became a district of Mogi das Cruzes in 1852. In 1938 the district was transferred to Santa Isabel. Finally Arujá was elevated to municipality status in 1959. This rich tapestry of history shapes Arujá. Its journey from natural landscape to “Nature City” reflects resilience. It also shows a commitment to growth and preservation.