Lages

Lages lies among the high grasslands and araucaria forests of the southern Brazilian plateau. These uplands were traditionally inhabited by Kaingang and Xokleng communities. Their open fields later became a passage for drovers moving cattle between the southern plains and São Paulo.

In 1766 Antônio Correia Pinto began a Portuguese settlement dedicated to Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres. Lages grew as a stop on the cattle route and a centre for surrounding ranches, as well as a place where erva-mate was gathered and cultivated. A road to the coast was opened at the end of the eighteenth century, strengthening its connections with Desterro on the island of Santa Catarina. In 1820 the town passed from São Paulo’s jurisdiction to that of Santa Catarina.