History of Ipê

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Aerial photo of Ipê's downtown

The history of Ipê, a municipality in Rio Grande do Sul which holds the title of National Capital of Agroecology (Capital Nacional da Agroecologia), dates back to the 19th century.

Around 1880, the area was known as Matos Particulares (Private Woods). This denomination was due to the existence of wooded lands belonging to various farmers, residents of Vacaria, and the location primarily served as a rest stop and passage point for tropeiros (cattle drovers) traveling the route between Vacaria, the Serra das Antas, and the region of São Leopoldo.[1][2]

Previously, the route was used by indigenous peoples who were dispossessed to make way for European settlers, and who traveled the region feeding on the pinhão, the fruit of the vast pine forest.

The Foundation: Farmers, Workers, and the Name "Formigueiro"

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Among the large landowners in the area was Luís Augusto Branco, who owned most of the current urban area. Another major owner was Libório Antônio Rodrigues, remembered through Linha Rodrigues and Linhas Itelvina and Virgínia, named after his daughters.[1]

These rural owners housed their workers in wooden shacks. The composition of the first non-indigenous population was mostly formed by descendants of Portuguese and, largely, by people of African descent — brown-skinned residents, some enslaved and others descendants of enslaved people, all employed by the aforementioned farmers.[1]

The arrival of European immigration intensified in the Serra Gaúcha (Gaúcha Highlands), aiming for settlement and the population's "whitening" post-Abolition (1888). The first Italian immigrants arrived in the region around 1886. Upon seeing the cluster of only 10 to 12 shacks in an area of about 200 m2, the immigrants named the place Formigueiro (Anthill) or, officially, São Luís do Formigueiro (Saint Louis of Formigueiro).[3]

Development and name change

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Bust of Friar Eduardo Totti

The initial landmark for the formalization of the settlement was the donation of a piece of land by Luís Augusto Branco for the construction of a chapel, where an image of Saint Louis, King of France, was placed in his honor. The beginning of the settlement was difficult, requiring the clearing of the thick virgin forest.[4][5]

Among the first immigrants to acquire land were João Pellin, Francisco Marcantônio, and Antônio Zanotto, who formed a partnership and established one of the first sawmills in the municipality, an activity also invested in by the Nodari brothers. The layout of the first streets and the measurement of the colonies were carried out by Francisco Marcantônio and João Pellin.[1][6]

The Catholic religion established itself as the main unifying element. The local Chapel was served by priests from the Parish of Antônio Prado until 1936, when the Parish of São Luiz de França was created. The first vicar, Father Friar Eduardo Totto, due to the large number of Yellow Ipê (Ipê Amarelo) trees in the region, gave the place a new name: Vila Ipê.[1][7]

Among the families of Portuguese origin who lived in the municipality in 1891 were: Dutra, Branco, Camargo, Alves, De Souza, De Jesus, Costa, Oliveira, and Da Silva. The first families of Italian immigrants included: Bortolozzo, Scopel, Orssi, Pellin, Migloretto, and Pinotto.[8]

Recyclable sign of Ipê
Recyclable sign of Ipê

Political Emancipation and Early Years

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With the growth of the settlement, the locality became known as Vila Ipê. An emancipation movement consolidated in 1985, led by a Pro-Emancipation Community Commission.[1]

Emancipation from Vacaria occurred through State Law No. 8,482, of December 15, 1987, raising Vila Ipê to the category of municipality. The new municipality was named Ipê.[1]

Ipê's first administration began on January 1, 1989, with Mr. Protásio Duarte Guazzeli elected as mayor, who governed the municipality until 1992.

Frei Casimiro Zaffonato School in the 1980s
Frei Casimiro School

The first years of the new municipality were also marked by a serious railway accident. On March 14, 1993, a frontal collision occurred between two RFFSA cargo trains in Tunnel 10, in the locality of Vila São Paulino. A communication failure caused the two compositions, which were traveling in opposite directions, to enter the same track. One of the trains was transporting alcohol, resulting in a large explosion and a fire that lasted more than three days. The accident caused the death of three train engineers and left one survivor.[9]

Ipê in Modernity: National Capital of Agroecology

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Since its emancipation, Ipê has maintained its focus on agriculture, but underwent an important transition to ecological production.

The Transition to Agroecology

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Ipê stood out for being a pioneer in organizing associations of rural producers who developed an awareness of sustainable and organic agriculture. This movement, which minimizes or eliminates the use of pesticides and chemicals, resulted in much of the municipality's agricultural production being carried out using agroecological methods. This model values family farming, consumer health, and the conservation of natural resources.[1][6]

The National Title

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In recognition of its work and leadership in the area of sustainable production, Ipê received the title of National Capital of Ecological Agriculture. The title was granted by Federal Law 2606/07, justified by the pioneering spirit and the strong organization of its producers in adopting organic and agroecological practices.[6][10]

The title reinforces the municipality's identity, boosts tourism and the organic products trade, and has motivated the development of local projects, such as the institution of the "Municipal Agroecology Week" by the City Council.[6]

Culture and Festivities

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Ipê's cultural heritage, marked by Italian colonization and the Gaúcha tradition, is celebrated in events that promote local production and social cohesion.[11][12][13][14][15]

The municipality's main festival is the FestIpê, a biennial event that celebrates the history, cultural diversity, and, above all, the agroecological production and the economic and social activities of the residents of Ipê. Another notable event is the Festa da Boa Colheita (Good Harvest Festival), which celebrates the results of agriculture and gratitude for the harvest, reinforcing the community's bond with the land.[16][17][18][19][20]

In addition to the large municipal celebrations, the religiosity and family tradition are maintained through smaller colonial festivals. Held in the rural communities of the municipality, these celebrations, linked to the chapels of each line or settlement, keep alive the typical gastronomy, social coexistence, and cultural traits of the Italian and Portuguese ancestors.[12]

Tourist attractions and heritage

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Campagnollo Belvedere - Ipê

Beyond its historical and agroecological relevance, Ipê offers attractions that explore its cultural heritage and natural landscape, especially in its rural communities.[21][6]

Stone Church – Vila Segredo: Located in the district of Vila Segredo, this church is an example of the region's colonial architecture. Built with stones, it is an important historical and religious landmark.[21] Saltinho River Iron Bridge: A historical structure that dates back to the initial development of the region, this iron bridge over the Saltinho River is a landmark of the engineering of the time and is part of a natural landscape. [21]

Turvo River Belvedere: A viewpoint that offers a panoramic view of the Turvo River and the surrounding valley. It is a place that highlights the rugged geomorphology of the Serra Gaúcha, providing a point for observing local nature.[21]

Vila Paim Church: Like the Stone Church, the Vila Paim Church is a symbol of the Catholic religiosity established by Italian and Luso-Brazilian immigrants. The churches of the interior communities are centers of social aggregation and living testimonies to the history of each colonial line.[21]

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  • Ipê trees line the road to Linha Garibaldi
    Ipê trees line the road to Linha Garibaldi
  • Aerial photo of the Municipality of Ipê
    Aerial photo of the Municipality of Ipê
  • Building of the Historical Museum of Ipê
    Building of the Historical Museum of Ipê
  • Main Church of the municipality of Ipê
    Main Church of the municipality of Ipê

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Histórico". Prefeitura Municipal de Ipê (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  2. ^ "IBGE | Biblioteca". IBGE | Biblioteca (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  3. ^ "História". cidades.ibge.gov.br. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  4. ^ "Paróquia São Luiz Rei - Ipê". Diocese de Vacaria (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  5. ^ "Paróquia São Luiz Rei - Ipê - RS - Província Sagrado Coração de Jesus". www.capuchinhosrs.org.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  6. ^ a b c d e Rigon, Justina Lêda (2012). Raízes de Ipê: XXIII Encontro dos Município Originários de Santo Antônio da Patrulha. Porto Alegre: Evangraf.
  7. ^ "A trajetória do bispo Dom Cândido Maria Bampi em Vacaria | Pioneiro". GZH (in Portuguese). 2020-06-09. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  8. ^ "O histórico de Ipê" (PDF). Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 March 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  9. ^ "Acidente com trens em Ipê completa 29 anos – Rádio Solaris" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  10. ^ Webde. "Ipê se prepara para comemorar os 40 anos do Centro Ecológico - Notícias". Prefeitura Municipal de Ipê (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  11. ^ "1ª FestIpê inicia dia 9, em Ipê | Pioneiro". GZH (in Portuguese). 2014-05-05. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  12. ^ a b Vargas, Taís (2025-11-12). "Festival do Risoto lançará oficialmente 5ª Festipê e 6ª ExpoIpê | Rádio Solaris" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  13. ^ "FestIpê ocorre neste fim de semana com shows, gastronomia e agroecologia | Pioneiro". GZH (in Portuguese). 2018-04-07. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  14. ^ Vargas, Taís (2024-04-13). "4ª Festipê e 5ª ExpoIpê são abertas oficialmente | Rádio Solaris" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  15. ^ Vargas, Taís (2022-11-11). "4ª Festipê é adiada para 2024 | Rádio Solaris" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  16. ^ Vargas, Taís (2023-05-04). "1ª Festa da Boa Colheita recebe público de mais de 10 mil pessoas | Rádio Solaris" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  17. ^ Webde. "Vila Segredo celebra a 2ª Festa da Boa Colheita - Notícias". Prefeitura Municipal de Ipê (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  18. ^ Vargas, Taís (2025-04-23). "2ª Festa da Boa Colheita movimentará Vila Segredo em Ipê | Rádio Solaris" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  19. ^ Webde. "Prefeitura de Ipê apoia a 2ª edição da Festa da Boa Colheita em Vila Segredo - Notícias". Prefeitura Municipal de Ipê (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  20. ^ Vargas, Taís (2025-04-29). "2ª Festa da Boa Colheita contou com público de 12 mil pessoas | Rádio Solaris" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  21. ^ a b c d e Webde. "Atrativos Turísticos". Prefeitura Municipal de Ipê (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-11-15.