28/09/2002: A bit of Rio Grande do Sul in GermanyIf
there is a place in Germany that resembles the mountains and valleys of Rio
Grande do Sul, this place is the town of Sankt Wendel, in the administrative
region of Saarland, located in south-western Germany, bordering France. And it
is not a mere coincidence. The first immigrants who settled the current towns of
São Vendelino, Bom Princípio, Feliz and São Sebastião do Caí, among others,
came from this small city and its outskirts. The towns in Rio Grande do Sul were
basically settled by Saarlanders (whom some call French-Germans). And the city
of São Vendelino has not been randomly named. "The Little Paradise",
as the Brazilian town is known, has got its name from Sankt Wendel. The two are
sister towns and have already taken the first steps towards a partnership at the
cultural and investment level. Sankt
Wendel has 10,000 inhabitants, but the population can get to 30,000 if you add
the surrounding districts. It’s a small and calm city, with a lovely people,
which makes one remember the medieval towns of ancient times, with an impressive
cathedral and old houses. Sankt Wendel has a distant origin. Roman Empire relics
have already been found in the region, which nowadays has some archaeological
sites. Lying 300 metres above sea level, amid the beautiful landscape of
Saar-Hunsrück natural reserve, among valleys and hills, Sankt Wendel also
provides good leisure and sports options. The Sankt Wendel Chapel,
built in 1755, in Rococo style, is located at the Wendelstal valley. Legend says
that Sankt Wendel came to this calm and distant place, in the late 6th
century, to preach the Christian faith. Nowadays, his body rests at the
Wendalinus Basilica, in the city centre. The building dates back to the 14th
century and was built in Gothic style. It is considered one of the most
beautiful churches in western Germany. At Missionshaus (House of the
Missions), you can see a beautiful 19th century building. The house
is made up of a church, an ethnologic museum, a library and a school. Another
attraction in Sankt Wendel is the interesting fountain at the pedestrian
precinct, behind the town's library. Designed by the artist Christian Mayer, it
is a granite ball, weighing 4,2 tonnes, revolved only by the power of the water.
The ball symbolises the globe, in permanent rotation. By travelling around Sankt
Wendel outskirts, you can enjoy beautiful scenery and historical monuments: the
Johan-Adams-Mühle, a 300-year-old mill in Theley, or a modern mill that
generates electricity in Tholey. The Tower of Tholey is the symbol of
German-French friendship after the wars fought and brings about an illustrative
monument portraying the tragedies of war. Still in Tholey, the ecological centre
provides an organic restaurant, hotel, convention centre and an area for whoever
is concerned about nature. The African chapel, close to Tholey's mill, is homage
to the German soldiers who went to Africa, but managed to return. Sankt Wendel's pubs,
restaurants and ice-cafes provide a cheerful environment to go out with friends.
The region's cuisine is another gift. The typical dishes are served in
long-history pubs and restaurants – the oldest among them is 300-year-old.
With that age, it's most likely that ancestors of the Gaúchos used to meet
there and to have a beer some centuries ago. Sankt Wendel has also an expressive
Italian population, which brought to the city the flavour of their tasty hand
made "gelatos" (ice-creams). Since São Vendelino was made
into a municipality, their inhabitants have had a cultural exchange with the
German town, hosting trainees and promoting the coming of Germans to visit their
country's former settlements in Rio Grande do Sul. The project of cultural
exchange with inhabitants of that small Brazilian town has the support of mayor
Klaus Bouillon was initiated by sociologist Klaus Lanck, chairman of the
German-Brazilian Circle of Friends, as well as by Jürgen Zimmer. At the moment,
six Vendelinenses are living in Sankt Wendel and surroundings, as trainees at
the city hall and at local companies. They will stay there for a year, receiving
the necessary assistance during that time. Besides the typical
environment of this German region, bordering France, Sankt Wendel stands out due
to incentives to sport. Mayor Bouillon is a great supporter of sports activities
and tournaments, which advertise the town and attract tourists and athletes.
Sankt Wendel hosts the Mountain Bike World Cup, besides marathons, rallies,
roller blading and cycling tournaments. The city is surrounded by hills and
slopes, which turn these activities into a great challenge. I myself was able
confirm that during a quick bicycle ride around the area… Whether in Sankt Wendel or in
the surrounding towns, it is great to breathe this countryside air, very similar
to the air of the Caí Valley German settlements, and get to know a bit of the
origin of some of the customs and references of our State. Colonial cafés,
kerbs and the taste for beer came from this seemingly faraway region, but one
that resembles our State a lot. Wherever you may be in the Sankt Wendel region,
you will always feel a little bit at home. Pictures: - Sankt Wendel's city centre: 1,
2,
3 - Krugelbrunnen fountain: 1 - Sankt Wendel's city hall: 1,
2,
3 - Trainees from São Vendelino in Sankt Wendel's city centre: 1 - Sankt Wendel Basilica: 1,
2,
3, 4,
5,
6,
7,
8 - Statue of Sankt Wendel: 1 - Sankt Wendel Chapel: 1,
2,
3, 4,
5 - Tholey District: 1,
2,
3, 4,
5 Translated by Traduzca |
