The “Romantic Route Project” began at the end of 1994 and the beginning of 1995 when the first meetings took place among representatives of a few municipalities that in the future would be part of the project. Inspired and conceived by a homonymous route in Germany, the Romantic Route in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, began with the idea, in the gaucho version, of a touristic route with small cities and towns of predominantly German immigration. São Leopoldo, Novo Hamburgo, Estância Velha, Ivoti, Dois Irmãos, Morro Reuter, Santa Maria do Herval, Presidente Lucena, Picada Café, Nova Petrópolis, Gramado, Canela, and São Francisco de Paula were the chosen ones to be part of the Project. The first ones because their population is strongly attached to German immigration and the two last ones because of their touristic tradition.
During the first semester of 1995 several meetings with the representatives of the municipalities, tourism organizations and public and private entities were held to consolidate and improve the project idea.
In June 26, 1995 the project of the touristic route was launched for tourism organizations, the community in general, and public and private entities, when a protocol of intentions was signed with the support of the State Secretary of Tourism, Rio Grande do Sul Tourism Chamber, and EMBRATUR, among eleven municipalities and the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, through FAMECOS and its Course in Tourism, which was in charge of the touristic mapping and diagnosis of the municipalities.
In the beginning of 1996, from March 16 to 29, there was a study trip to observe the Romantische Strasse in Germany, and a delegation traveled with the objective to get to know the means, factors, sectors, and agents producing tourism in that region and collect data to implant the gaucho route.
In April 22, 1996 the Association of the Municipalities of the Romantic Route – AMRR was founded with the first General Meeting of the municipalities that were part of the then “Romantic Route Project, and later the first statute and entry as a legal entity of the Association in the competent bodies was registered at a Notary’s office”. From then on the Association of the Municipalities of the Romantic Route began to exist in fact and in law.
The year 2008 was also notable because at the General Meeting that took place on October 30 that year the new text of the statute was approved, a necessary change specifically to adapt the provisions of the Law 9.790 from March 23, 1999, which establishes and regulates organizations of the civil society of public interest (OSCIP). From this approval on the denomination “Romantic Route Association - ARR” began to be used.
In May 2012 another municipality was officially included, Linha Nova, being now 14 participants. São Leopoldo, Novo Hamburgo, Estância Velha, Ivoti, Dois Irmãos, Morro Reuter, Santa Maria do Herval, Presidente Lucena, Linha Nova, Picada Café, Nova Petrópolis, Gramado, Canela, and São Francisco de Paula are the municipalities that are currently part of the Romantic Route.
We work with the 14 participants institutionally with the objective to promote and develop regional tourism collectively.
An exciting way with strong cultural values and several attractions to offer. Identified along the route, preservation of the German culture inherited from the immigrants is noticed in traditional festivals, splendorous garden, colonial markets, typical bands, folk groups… Besides the cultural trip, the region also offers contact with exuberant nature. The Romantic Route, with the diversity offered by the 14 municipalities, has the structure to receive demanding visitors who search for refined cuisine and exquisite hotel, but also pleases those who prefer family guesthouses and the delicious colonial food. There are so many options that your trip will certainly be unforgettable.
Currently the seat of the Romantic Route is in the Medieval Tower, by the Tourism Office, on 100 Avenida 15 de Novembro, at the city center of Nova Petrópolis, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
