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Those who visit Treze Tílias, in the Midwest of Santa Catarina, often feel like they are walking through a small town in the Austrian Alps. The typical architecture, houses decorated with flowers, traditional cuisine, folk groups, and even the language preserved by part of the population make the municipality one of the most curious cultural destinations in Brazil.
Known as the “Brazilian Tyrol”, Treze Tílias was founded in 1933 by a group of immigrants led by the former Austrian Minister of Agriculture, Andreas Thaler. Nearly a century later, the municipality continues to preserve its European origins and has become a reference in cultural tourism, attracting Brazilian and foreign visitors throughout the year.
Moreover, one of the most striking facts is that a significant portion of the population holds dual Brazilian and Austrian citizenship, reinforcing the historical ties between the two countries.
How Treze Tílias emerged
The history of Treze Tílias begins in a period of great economic instability in Europe.
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After World War I, Austria faced financial difficulties, unemployment, and agricultural problems. In this scenario, Andreas Thaler, who had been the Austrian Minister of Agriculture, decided to lead an immigration project in search of new opportunities for families from Tyrol.
According to historical records, in 1933, about 85 Tyrolean immigrants set out for Brazil to establish a new colony in the interior of Santa Catarina. The chosen location had a mild climate, terrain similar to the Alps, and fertile lands, characteristics considered ideal for agriculture.
The new settlement was initially named Dreizehnlinden, a German expression meaning “Treze Tílias”, inspired by a poem by the writer Friedrich Wilhelm Weber.
Why the city preserves so many Austrian traditions
Unlike other European colonies established in Brazil, Treze Tílias managed to maintain a large part of its original traditions.
This happened because the first residents remained quite united and made a point of preserving customs, language, cuisine, and cultural manifestations brought from Austria.
According to information from the Treze Tílias City Hall and IBGE, this heritage can still be observed in various aspects of the city, from the style of the buildings to the typical celebrations held throughout the year.
Today, walking through the streets of the municipality means encountering alpine-style facades, flower-filled gardens, churches inspired by European architecture, and commercial establishments that maintain traditional elements of Tyrol.
The city where many residents have dual citizenship
One of the most curious aspects of Treze Tílias involves its permanent connection with Austria.
According to a report published by the portal O Antagonista, about 60% of the residents have dual Brazilian and Austrian citizenship, reflecting the direct descent of the first immigrants who arrived in the municipality in 1933.
This connection facilitates cultural, family, and even professional exchanges between the two countries.
Moreover, many residents maintain frequent contact with relatives living in Europe, strengthening a relationship built almost a hundred years ago.
Alpine architecture transforms the city into a tourist attraction
One of the biggest postcards of Treze Tílias is its architecture.
A large part of the buildings follows the traditional Austrian alpine style, with sloping roofs, wooden balconies, colorful flower boxes, and handcrafted details.
This urban planning care helps create an atmosphere quite different from that found in most Brazilian cities.
Furthermore, many public buildings, hotels, restaurants, and shops preserve historical characteristics that reinforce the cultural identity of the municipality.
For preserving these characteristics over decades, Treze Tílias became nationally known as “the most Austrian city in Brazil”, an expression frequently used in tourist materials and reports about the municipality.
The Tyrolean culture remains alive
Cultural preservation goes far beyond architecture.
In Treze Tílias it is still possible to find residents who speak the Tyrolean dialect, especially among the older families.
Moreover, folk groups maintain performances of traditional dance, traditional music, and festivals that celebrate Austrian immigration.
According to information provided by the Treze Tílias City Hall, manifestations such as folk dances, typical music, and traditional celebrations are part of the municipality’s cultural program and help preserve the immigrants’ heritage.
Gastronomy brings together flavors from Austria and Santa Catarina
Another highlight of Treze Tílias is its gastronomy.
The restaurants offer dishes inspired by Austrian cuisine, including schnitzel, artisanal sausages, pasta, strudel, apfelstrudel, cakes, and various types of cold cuts.
At the same time, typical ingredients from the Serra Catarinense have been incorporated into the local menu, creating a unique combination between European tradition and Brazilian flavors.
Additionally, craft breweries produce labels inspired by Austrian recipes, enhancing the gastronomic experience for visitors.
Wooden sculptures are a heritage of the city
Treze Tílias also gained national recognition for its tradition in wood sculpture.
This art was brought by the first immigrants and continues to be passed down through generations.
According to historical records, several local artists produced works that today are part of churches, museums, and public spaces in Brazil.
The municipality is even recognized as the Wood Sculpture Capital of Santa Catarina, hosting several studios open to visitors.
Tourism boosts the local economy
Tourism represents one of the main economic activities of Treze Tílias.
Throughout the year, visitors come to the city in search of cultural, gastronomic, and historical experiences.
Among the main attractions are:
- Castelinho Andreas Thaler;
- Municipal Museum;
- Main Church;
- sculpture studios;
- craft breweries;
- shops of typical products;
- colonial cafes;
- trails and rural landscapes.
Additionally, Treze Tílias is part of tourist routes in the Midwestern region of Santa Catarina and is frequently included in trips focused on cultural and gastronomic tourism.
The Tirolerfest is the city’s biggest celebration
Among the most well-known events is the Tirolerfest.
Held annually, the festival celebrates the arrival of the first Austrian immigrants to Brazil.
During the event, there are traditional parades, folk performances, cultural contests, traditional gastronomy, and lots of music.
According to the Treze Tílias Tourism Association, the Tirolerfest is considered the main cultural event of the municipality and brings together residents, descendants of immigrants, and tourists interested in Austrian culture.
Treze Tílias preserves a piece of European history in Brazil
The history of Treze Tílias shows how immigration helped build part of Brazil’s cultural diversity.
Almost a hundred years after its foundation, the municipality continues to preserve traditions, languages, gastronomy, and customs brought by Austrian settlers.
According to historical records from the Treze Tílias City Hall and information published in reports about Austrian immigration in Brazil, the municipality preserves cultural characteristics that date back to its foundation in 1933.
Today, visiting Treze Tílias means getting to know an important part of immigration history, appreciating landscapes inspired by Tyrol, and discovering how a small city in Santa Catarina managed to keep alive a cultural identity built since 1933. For this reason, the municipality remains established as one of the most unique destinations in Brazilian tourism.
