São João Do Polêsine brings together religious heritage, a history of rice cultivation, and Italian-influenced cuisine. To get your bearings, it helps to distinguish between Vale Vêneto, a tourist district within the municipality, and the municipal seat, which also has cultural sites. This will help you place destinations and festivals within the municipality and plan your stay around the themes that interest you most.
Cultural sites in Vale Vêneto
The Igreja Matriz Corpus Christi in Vale Vêneto was inaugurated in 1907; its construction took approximately 20 years. It is considered a historical, cultural, and religious landmark in the area, as well as a focal point of religious devotion. The Gruta de Nossa Senhora de Lourdes also connects faith with the history of the region: it was inaugurated on May 24, 1942, as a plea for protection from the major floods of that time. It has a natural spring with water from the Grotto of Lourdes in France; Bishop Mons. Pascoal Gomes Librelotto blessed the water.
After suffering severe damage from floods and landslides in May 2024, the grotto was restored. The restoration aimed to bring back its distinctive atmosphere of peace and reflection for worshippers and visitors. Another religious landmark is Vale Vêneto’s Calvário: it has 14 stations and offers panoramic views of the area from its elevated position.
Festivals throughout the year
Two annual cultural events have been held in the Vale Vêneto district since 1986: the Festival Internacional de Inverno da UFSM and the Semana Cultural Italiana de Vale Vêneto. Both give travelers a reason to combine their stay with the municipality’s cultural program. If you want to plan your trip around one of these festivals, check the specific event dates in advance.
The Festa Regional do Arroz adds another annual tradition. It has regional significance and is one of the largest festivals in the region. The program includes an Italian lunch. Along with its annual return, the festival makes rice culture a distinct focus for trip planning.
Cuisine and rice culture
The cuisine of the municipality of São João Do Polêsine is strongly shaped by its Italian heritage. Restaurants and community or religious festivals may offer Sopa de agnolini, Bife à milanesa, Galeto, risottos, polenta, and radicci. The dishes on the menu may vary depending on the restaurant or festival. You can experience this culinary tradition both in everyday dining and at community gatherings.
The history of rice cultivation is also commemorated by a monument: the Monumento Máquina a Vapor stands in front of Praça Matriz in the municipal seat. It recalls a steam engine that immigrants used to irrigate rice fields and is a symbol of the municipality’s rice culture. Also in the municipal seat, the Monumento Nossa Senhora da Salete honors the patron saint of farmers; the monument has 77 steps.
More cultural points of interest
At Praça Matriz João Luiz Pozzobon in the municipal seat, you can see replicas of the dinosaurs Buriolestes Schultzi and Gnathovorax Cabreirai. Casa Museu João Luiz Pozzobon offers a glimpse into family history: it preserves the history and memory of the life of Deacon João Luiz Pozzobon and his family. The house where he was born and spent part of his life was rebuilt in Ribeirão, within the municipality.
Discover more destinations: Bagé, São Francisco De Paula, Montenegro, Cachoeirinha, Ametista do Sul, Tavares, Sarandi, Camaquã
For the broader travel overview: Rio Grande Do Sul.
