Father Theodoro Amstad established the first credit cooperative in Brazil in 1902 in the nearby town of Nova Petrópolis.
The square is dedicated to the 'Father of Cooperativism' in Brazil, whose efforts transformed the economic lives of local small-scale farmers.
Nova Petrópolis is recognized as the National Capital of Cooperative Education, a title deeply linked to the history honored in this square.
The location remains a significant site of pilgrimage for those involved in the international credit union movement.
Square Padre Teodoro, locally known as Praça Padre Theodoro Amstad, serves as a historical tribute to the founder of the first credit union in Latin America. The site features a bronze bust of Father Theodoro Amstad, a Jesuit priest and central figure in the cooperative movement in the Rio Grande do Sul region. It is situated in the Dos Boêmios neighborhood of Nova Petrópolis. The square honors the arrival of German immigrants who shaped the socio-economic structure of the Serra Gaúcha. The site is a landscaped public space designed to integrate local heritage with urban leisure. It acts as a focal point for understanding the history of the Sicoob cooperative system.
Directly in front of the bronze bust of Father Theodoro Amstad with the landscaped greenery as the backdrop.
Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Cooperative Museum to gain full context on the historical importance of Father Amstad.
Visit during the afternoon to appreciate the lighting on the monument, which provides better conditions for photography.
The square is located in a quiet neighborhood; keep noise levels low to respect the residential environment.
Treating this solely as a generic park; it is a historical site that requires a respectful demeanor.
