Colorful arches await you here. Welcome to Marechal Cordeiro de Farias Square also known as the Square of Arches. This square offers a unique blend of art history and urban life.
Marechal Cordeiro de Farias Square sits in the Higienópolis neighborhood. It is part of the Consolação district in São Paulo. The square begins at the end of Paulista Avenue. Minas Gerais Itápolis avenues and Angelica street meet here.
But who was Marechal Cordeiro de Farias? Osvaldo Cordeiro de Farias lived from 1901 to 1981. He was a Brazilian revolutionary and politician. He also served as governor of the State of Rio Grande do Sul.
The Square of Arches gets its nickname from a sculpture. The sculpture is titled Arcos ou Caminho meaning Arches or Path. Lilian Amaral and Jorge Bassani created this work. It features twelve rainbow-colored arches. People can walk through them. The arches were commissioned for the centenary of Paulista Avenue in December 1991.
Beyond its artistic appeal Marechal Cordeiro de Farias Square serves a practical purpose. It includes bicycle parking making it a hub for cyclists. The square marks a terminus of São Paulo’s growing bicycle routes.
Osvaldo Cordeiro de Farias was a significant figure in Brazilian military history. He joined the military school in Realengo. He graduated in 1919 as an artillery officer. He participated in the Tenentismo movement and the Revolution of 1930.
By 1942 Cordeiro de Farias had become the youngest Brigadier General in the army. When Brazil declared war against the Axis powers he volunteered for the Brazilian Expeditionary Force. He said he wanted to go to war because his soul as a soldier was asking for it.
General Cordeiro de Farias commanded the Artillery Division. His leadership helped weaken German defense lines. This allowed Brazilian troops to advance during World War II.
After the war he was promoted to Marshal. In 1965 he was transferred to the reserve. He held the position of general for 23 years. He also served as a Federal Interventor in Rio Grande do Sul and Governor of Pernambuco. He died in Rio de Janeiro in 1981.
Marechal Cordeiro de Farias Square is more than just a space. It is a tribute to a notable Brazilian figure. It is a celebration of public art and a functional part of the city’s infrastructure. The square embodies the spirit of São Paulo a blend of history culture and progress.