Sao Leopoldo

About

São Leopoldo was founded by German immigrants in 1824, and was the first official city to be made part of the country’s official German immigration plan. While São Leopoldo has since grown into an important industrial center, its German heritage is still alive and well. Walking the streets, you’ll likely notice a decidedly Deutsche demeanor to many citizens, and possibly hear the Riograndenser Hunsrückisch dialect. The city’s old train station, which is now a museum, wouldn’t look out of place in a little Bavarian village, and in the Museum of Immigrants, you can see everything from old money to the traditional dress of the early German immigrants. If you get hungry, the city is filled with German restaurants, and if you happen to be in town in October, you can even partake in Oktoberfest!