neighborhood · Curitiba, PR
Santa Felicidade
A neighborhood founded by immigrants from northern Italy, mostly from Veneto and Trentino, with a concentration of Italian restaurants, wineries and craft shops. It preserves late 19th-century buildings such as the Casa Culpi, from 1887, and the Casa dos Gerânios, from 1891.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Santa Felicidade
Santa Felicidade is Curitiba's Italian neighborhood. It is in the north of the city, about 7 km from downtown. It was settled from 1878 by immigrants from northern Italy, mostly from Veneto and Trentino. The name honors Felicidade Borges, linked to the land where the colony settled.
Life in the neighborhood revolves around Avenida Manoel Ribas. Along it are Italian restaurants, wineries, delis and shops selling crafts and wicker furniture, a local tradition. The neighborhood is known as a dining hub and keeps up festivals tied to grapes and wine.
Part of its history lies in the immigrants' buildings. The Casa Culpi, from 1887, is a masonry townhouse that was the Culpi family's home and store. The Casa dos Gerânios, a late 19th-century townhouse, is another landmark of the Italians' arrival. The neoclassical Igreja de São José e Santa Felicidade opened in 1891 and has its bell tower separate from the main church. Next to it, the 1896 cemetery holds an arcaded pantheon with family tombs.
The outing is easy and can be done on foot between the historic spots on the avenue, combined with lunch. It is a good visit for people who enjoy food, immigration history and shopping for colonial-style products.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
Half a day, including lunch and a walk past the historic buildings on Avenida Manoel Ribas.
Best time
At lunchtime, especially on weekends, when the neighborhood is busiest and the Italian meal tradition is at its liveliest. In the morning, with the avenue quieter, the light is good for photos of the old houses and the church.
How to get there
It is in northern Curitiba, about 7 km from downtown, along Avenida Manoel Ribas. You can go by car, taxi, ride-hailing app or city bus; the Linha Turismo also passes through the neighborhood.
Tip
At the most popular restaurants, arrive early for weekend lunch. Set aside time to walk to the church and the cemetery, which are close by on the same avenue.
A look at the place
Santa Felicidade in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Santa Felicidade
What is there to do in Santa Felicidade?
Have lunch at an Italian restaurant, visit wineries and wicker and craft shops, and see the immigrants' buildings, such as the Casa Culpi and the main church.
Is Santa Felicidade far from downtown Curitiba?
It is about 7 km from downtown, in the north of the city. It is a short trip by car or ride-hailing app, and there are city buses and the Linha Turismo.
What are the origins of Santa Felicidade?
The neighborhood was founded in 1878 by immigrants from northern Italy, mainly from Veneto and Trentino.
What is the best day to visit Santa Felicidade?
Weekends are the liveliest, especially at lunchtime. During the week the outing is quieter.
Can I explore Santa Felicidade on foot?
Yes. The main sights are along Avenida Manoel Ribas and you can walk between them, but some stretches of the avenue are long.