Erechim
Erechim is a municipality in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, located in the South Region of Brazil. Recognized as a subregional hub in the country, it serves as the central city of the Alto Uruguai region in Rio Grande do Sul and is the second most populous city in the northern part of the state, with an estimated population of inhabitants in 2022, according to the IBGE. According to the Socioeconomic Development Index, Erechim ranks as the second most developed city in Rio Grande do Sul among municipalities with over 100,000 inhabitants, leading in the education sector. The Atlas of Violence identifies it as the second safest municipality in the state. In 2015, Erechim held the 15th position in GDP among municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul.
Erechim is one of Brazil’s earliest planned modern cities. Its urban layout drew inspiration from urban planning concepts used in Washington, D.C., Paris, Buenos Aires, and Belo Horizonte. However, recent modifications to its road network have enhanced traffic flow, characterized by wide streets, a clear hierarchy, and the creation of convergence points through diagonal streets intersecting the basic grid. Key elements of its urban design include a perpendicular street grid intersected by diagonal avenues, uniformly sized city blocks, and a perimeter avenue encircling the city.
Etymology
When Erechim was established as a municipality on April 30, 1918, it was named "Erexim," a term derived from the Kaingang language, meaning "small field," formed by combining rê or erê and xim. The city's name likely reflects the forests that surrounded it at the time. The city has also been known by other names, such as Paiol Grande, Boa Vista, Boa Vista de Erechim, and José Bonifácio, but "Erechim" has endured to the present day.According to the orthographic rules of the Portuguese language established in the Orthographic Agreement of 1943, the toponym should be spelled "Erexim," since the letter "x" is used for words of Kaingang origin. However, the municipality’s name is officially registered with "ch," as seen in all traffic signs, vehicle plates, and official documents.
During the celebrations marking Erechim’s 50th anniversary in 1968, Rubem Safro, popularly known as Buja, referred to the city as the "Capital of Friendship" while hosting a local event. This nickname was soon embraced by the municipality, reflecting the harmonious coexistence of its diverse ethnic communities.
History
Origins
Studies conducted by Eletrosul indicate that the Alto Uruguai region, where Erechim is located, has been inhabited by humans for at least 10,000 years. Over the past three centuries, the area was primarily home to indigenous Kaingang peoples, with some Guarani groups occupying lower-altitude regions.The first non-indigenous settlers in the area now comprising Erechim were likely Paulista descendants of bandeirantes, who settled sporadically after receiving land grants from the state government. Their initial occupation was marked by violent conflicts with the Kaingang, whom the Portuguese referred to as "coroados."
These early settlers established themselves in a forested region intersected by the abundant river network of the western Pelotas-Uruguay basin. Around 1887, Augusto de Oliveira Penteado, known as Augusto César, along with João Placidino Machado and Antônio Ferreira de Albuquerque, conducted a river exploration. They submitted a detailed report to the Passo Fundo Municipal Council in late 1888, naming various geographical features.
In 1908, the Erechim Colony was founded, planned by the Director of Lands and Colonization, Carlos Torres Gonçalves, following positivist principles to serve as a model for colonization. The colony experienced rapid economic growth, facilitated by the presence of a railway and well-planned roads constructed according to the colony’s original design. The colony was officially established in 1910 with the arrival of the first 36 settlers: four families totaling 28 individuals and four single persons.
Pioneerism and Immigration
The region was primarily colonized by immigrants of Polish, German, Jewish, and predominantly Italian descent. The first Italian families arrived around 1910 via the railway, significantly shaping the region’s social, cultural, and material character over the years. Many immigrants, particularly Italians, sought better lives for themselves and future generations. Their influence remains evident today, especially in the city’s architecture and cuisine.By 1910, under the influence of these early immigrants, the colony’s seat had already developed an urban character, with streets laid out and approximately 50 wooden houses constructed, alongside 22 more under construction. The settlement included two lodging barracks for immigrants, an infirmary, a materials warehouse, nine commercial establishments, a barber shop, a tailor shop, three shoe shops, and a butcher shop. The rural area also developed rapidly. By 1914, the initial settlement of the Erechim Colony had become the most prosperous village in the region. On April 20, 1916, the Land and Colonization Commission’s office was relocated from the Erechim settlement to Paiol Grande, the previously designated general headquarters of the colony.
Administrative formation
With the growth of the settlement and its economy—driven by agriculture, livestock, commerce, and services—Erechim was elevated to municipality status under state decree No. 2342 on April 30, 1918, signed by Borges de Medeiros, separating it from the municipality of Passo Fundo. Its seat was established in the former settlement of Boa Vista do Erechim, officially established on June 18, 1918. Over the years, new districts were added. In the 1920 national census, the municipality was divided into five districts: Boa Vista do Erechim, Erechim, Barro, Erebango, and Marcelino Ramos. By December 31, 1937, it included eleven districts: Erechim, Barro, Marcelino Ramos, Nova Itália, Nova Polônia, Paulo Bento, Quatro Irmãos, Rio Novo, São Valentim, Treze de Maio, and Viadutos. In 1943, the municipality consisted of twelve districts: José Bonifácio, Barro, Carlos Gomes, Cotegipe, Marcelino Ramos, Nova Itália, Paulo Bento, Princesa Isabel, Quatro Irmãos, Rio Novo, São Valentim, Severiano Almeida, and Viadutos. By December 1, 1960, it comprised nine districts: Erechim, Barão de Cotegipe, Capo-Erê, Itatiba, Mariano Moro, Nova Itália, Paulo Bento, Quatro Irmãos, and Três Arroios. The last modification, under state law No. 10762 of April 16, 1996, separated the districts of Paulo Bento and Quatro Irmãos, which became independent municipalities. Erechim then consisted of three districts: Capo-Êre, Jaguaretê, and the seat.Urban growth
Following the completion of official procedures for emancipation, the Secretary of Public Works, Carlos Torres Gonçalves, ordered the planning of the city that would serve as the municipality’s seat. Engineers and surveyors from the land commission, based in the former Erechim settlement, began their work using the railway station as the starting point, apparently without prior terrain reconnaissance. The urban plan mirrored that of Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais, and incorporated urban planning concepts from Washington, D.C. and Paris. Once the layout was approved, the city’s development commenced with the sale of plots and rapid construction of wooden buildings, particularly along José Bonifácio Avenue, now known as Maurício Cardoso. Thus, Vila Boa Vista emerged, replacing the former Paiol Grande.Over time, urban improvements became necessary. Key projects included leveling the gully along Maurício Cardoso Avenue, channeling streams in the initial blocks of Itália Street and Nelson Ehlers Street, and filling numerous potholes with wood and dirt.
Later, extensive studies revealed that Erechim was built over uneven terrain. A months-long topographic survey, led by Diumer Schneider, the Malinowski brothers, the Losina brothers, Antônio Bergmann, and Henrique Schwerin, mapped the area at two-meter intervals. Before this survey was completed, the mayor ordered the municipal surveyor to level the pavement, resulting in curbs that reflected the terrain’s imperfections. Numerous administrations unsuccessfully attempted to level the city. Subsequently, a Master Plan was developed to guide urban development. This plan prioritized leveling buildings before streets, leading to structures with multiple floors partially below ground after street leveling to mitigate steep inclines. The Master Plan sparked significant controversy and was ultimately shelved.
Recent history
With the growth of Erechim and neighboring cities, the Erechim Microregion was established, encompassing Erechim and 30 other municipalities. The most populous include Getúlio Vargas, Aratiba, Barão de Cotegipe, Estação, Gaurama, Campinas do Sul, Erval Grande, Marcelino Ramos, Viadutos, Itatiba do Sul, Áurea, and Severiano de Almeida. In 2006, IBGE estimated the microregion’s population at approximately 211,228 inhabitants across a total area of 5,745 km². Its average HDI was 0.791, with an average per capita GDP of R$22,048 in 2003. The microregion is part of the Noroeste Rio-Grandense mesoregion.One of the most tragic incidents in Erechim’s history occurred on September 22, 2004, when a bus chartered by the municipality to transport rural students to city schools, carrying 31 passengers, fell into a CORSAN dam. It took rescue teams over three hours to pull the bus out of the water. The parents of the deceased teenagers were compensated with R$190,000. The driver, who sustained minor injuries, was arrested in 2005 for speeding. Autopsies confirmed that 17 children and teenagers died. Lucas Verazzo, a student, died heroically saving three classmates from drowning before losing his life in an attempt to save a fourth. The three days following the accident were marked by protests, with classes suspended across all city schools.