Campo Grande Campo Grande

Campo Grande

Founded by the farmers and cattle raisers of Minas Gerais in search of good pasture and plenty of water, Campo Grande soon gained its economic vocation. However, people from Minas Gerais were not the only people to influence the local culture. The city has a peculiar mix by being home to the second largest community of indigenous Brazilians and Japanese immigrants who arrived in the early 20th century, and also due to its borders with Bolivia and Paraguay.

The result of this mixture appears, for example, in the cuisine. In places such as the Feira Central (Central Market), you can enjoy delicious dishes and drinks such as tereré (Herbal iced tea usually served in a trinket made of ox horn), sopa Paraguaia (a savoury corn based, cheese and onion pie), sobá (noodle soup, omelette and cheiro verde – scallion and parsley seasoning) and locro (a pumpkin-based soup, with beans and corn). Take the opportunity to go to the Antonio Valente Municipal Market, where you will find many distinct flavors and beautiful handicrafts.

In Campo Grande, the indigenous culture is very strong. The handicraft, for example, presents beautiful pieces of pottery, bows and arrows, fans, lacework and embroidery, berrantes (ox horn instruments used in cattle farming) and dolls. At the Casa do Artesão (Artisan House), part of historical and cultural heritage of Mato Grosso do Sul state, you really can can find it all.

In Campo Grande, you will have the chance to visit a village in the urban space. This is being the Memorial da Cultura Indígena (Memorial of Indigenous Culture), a shop full of indigenous products, t is also where over 100 indigenous families live. The Parque das Nações Indígenas (Indigenous Nations Park) is also a space that valorizes this community and houses the Monumento ao Índio (Monument to the Indigenous), the Museu de Arte Contemporânea (Museum of Contemporary Art) and the Museu das Culturas Dom Bosco (Dom Bosco Museum of Cultures).

You can also visit the Church of São Francisco de Assis, whose stained glass tell the story of San Francisco, among many other tourist pots found along the city tour bus route.

The red tinged sand of the Cidade Morena is a beautiful site, and when you are there, how the city got this affectionate name will certainly be revealed!