The whole world of football is now looking at the 2014 FIFA World Cup of Brazil, where the best national teams like Brazil, Spain, Germany and Argentina are getting ready to move on. One of the host cities is Curitiba, considered within the most European-like cities in Brazil and also known as Brazil’s Green Capital. Rather than just get inside the football field get ready to discover amazing things to do in Curitiba, take a look at the review of the most interesting places of the city with an architectural look. We have selected the 5 architectural highlights in Curitiba, let’s get the ball rolling!
Curitiba, capital of the state of Paraná, stands out for its sustainable design and a good quality of life and one of the world’s best examples of urban planning. Immigrants from Italy, Germany or Poland have influenced the shape of the city leaving a unique heritage with contemporary and modern architecture.
With all eyes on the World Cup, it is proper starting with the stadium of Curitiba, the Estádio Joaquim Americo Guimaraes, known locally as Arena da Baixada. It is considered one of the most advanced Brazilian stadiums, actually, the stadium has been modernised for the World Cup with an interesting architectural design and updated features like the offer of free Wi-Fi. It is also one of the few stadiums with a central surveillance system in Brazil.
In Curitiba we will also find the Oscar Niemeyer Museum, a must for every art and architecture fan, with an outstanding design, contemporary art, stunning architecture and exhibits beautifully presented. If you are an art lover, you may also continue your Curitiba architecture itinerary to, Guaira theatre, home of the city’s cultural life.
Picture credit to Ana Colta and Mari Ordo
Food lovers won’t miss the chance to visit Curitiba’s vivid open-air food markets with a wide offer of local cuisine where you will be able to taste unique flavours within an exciting culture. The best well known food markets are Feira do Batel, Praça da Ucrânia, and Feira do Largo da Ordem.
And don’t miss nature! Curitiba is a city full of fantastic parks, locals say: “Our parks are our beaches”, the official FIFA Fun Parties will be held at Barigui Park, the most iconic park of the city and a perfect place to relax within the nature.
The city is considered the most sustainable in Brazil and one of the world’s leading eco-cites with model public transport and cycle lanes connecting local attractions with parks and green areas.
Get ready to discover all this and much more with the help of our local architecture guide in Curitiba, Duncan Crowley, a local architect established in the city who has carefully designed a great architecture itinerary to discover how urban evolution has taken Curitiba to be known as the most ecological city on the planet.