Discover Imbaú through its religious traditions, local heritage and a cycling event held on a specific date. The culture is particularly tangible at the Santa Cruz da Charqueada dos Betins: the wooden artifact, the story of its transfer and an annual ritual each offer a different insight. Other highlights include the Festa de São José and places and projects connected with religious tourism. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing recurring religious occasions from the cycling event held on a specific date.
Santa Cruz: Heritage and Ritual
The Santa Cruz da Charqueada dos Betins is a wooden artifact estimated to be more than 150 years old. According to local tradition, worshippers carried the Santa Cruz from an unspecified location near Tibagi to Charqueada dos Betins in Imbaú. The route was approximately 50 kilometres long. The Santa Cruz thus combines a tangible material connection with a traditional account of its transfer.
Traditionally, prayers and songs are recited at the Santa Cruz on 3 May, the day of the Reza da Santa Cruz. A chaplain leads the ritual; it lasts approximately one hour and is open to all age groups. The date and duration are specific: the observance takes place on 3 May, and the ritual lasts about an hour.
Festivals Throughout the Year
The Festa de São José takes place annually and lasts three days. Its timing is linked to the saint’s feast day, which falls during Lent. Sunday is the main day of the festival: there is a barbecue in the church hall, followed by a traditional bingo game in the late afternoon. People from neighbouring towns also attend. If you would like to plan your trip around the Festa, check the date for the relevant year.
The two occasions differ mainly in their timing: the Reza da Santa Cruz is an approximately one-hour ritual on 3 May, while the Festa de São José lasts three days and centres on Sunday. This comparison can help you decide whether to include a single custom or a multi-day festival in your travel plans.
Religious Tourism Route and Oratório
Olho d'Água de São João de Maria is included in Imbaú’s religious tourism route and is described as a mystical place of faith and popular devotion. It adds another religious and cultural point of interest to the customs associated with the Santa Cruz.
The Oratório de São José is also connected with this tourism focus. Initial steps towards its construction began in mid-2019; the project brought Imbaú onto the religious tourism route of the state of Paraná. Together, the traditions at the Santa Cruz, Olho d'Água and the history of the Oratório illustrate different aspects of Imbaú’s religious character: a recurring ritual, a place included on the route and a project with a specific starting point.
Cycling Event: One Edition on a Specific Date
Another facet was the Amigos do Pedal de Imbaú cycling event. The edition held on 1 May 2026 featured a 25-kilometre route through beautiful landscapes. Technical support and a refreshment station for hydration were also provided. While the religious customs recur, these route details refer to the 2026 edition held on a specific date. The cycling event can therefore be considered a separate scheduled event alongside the religious traditions.
Discover more destinations: Morretes, Vitória De Santo Antão, Castro, Cianorte, Marechal Cândido Rondon, Londrina, Pôrto Rico, Campo Mourão
For the main travel overview: Paraná.
