Lake and islands
Little bridges.
DAR7 e Eloy Olindo Setti — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Morio — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Monica Kaneko from Sao Paulo, Brasil — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Monica Kaneko from Sao Paulo, Brasil — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Monica Kaneko from Sao Paulo, Brasil — CC BY-SA 2.0
The Passeio Público is Curitiba's oldest park, opened in the city centre on 2 May 1886 on the initiative of the provincial president Alfredo d'Escragnolle Taunay, to deal with land that was a swamp. When city funding stalled, two maté merchants gave money and land, and one of them, Francisco Fasce Fontana, became the park's first manager. The swamp was drained and the Belém River that crossed it was tamed into a calm lake with small islands and bridges, and boats were put on it for outings. Taunay rushed the opening to fit his term and handed over office the next day; his successor reopened the park on 8 August that year after fixing what the haste had left. For decades the park also held the city zoo, until the large animals moved to the new zoo in 1982. Today the Passeio Público is a green oasis among downtown streets, with paths under the trees, a lake with ducks and birds, and a historic iron gate at its main entrance. Entry is free, and half an hour is enough, close to Largo da Ordem and the historic centre.
Little bridges.
At the entrance.
Ducks and waterfowl.
Rua Presidente Carlos Cavalcanti, central Curitiba
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Largo da Ordem Sunday FairThe Feira do Largo da Ordem, officially the Garibaldi Art and Crafts Fair, fills9 minutes walk4.7
Museu ParanaenseThe Museu Paranaense, founded on 25 September 1876, is described as the third-ol11 minutes walk4.6
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Oscar Niemeyer Museum (Eye Museum)The Oscar Niemeyer Museum, known as the Eye Museum, is one of Latin America's le21 minutes walk4.6The Passeio Público, opened in the city centre on 2 May 1886.