In the heart of São Paulo, a tradition started by Italian immigrants in 1911 continues to span generations. On weekends, the Circolo Italiano It welcomes families of descendants who maintain the habit of attending the institution, located in the Edifício Itália (Italy Building).
"We receive many descendants of Italians who maintain the tradition of frequenting the house," he stated. José de Lourenço Messina, president of the Circolo, to Tourism DiaryAccording to him, it's "a habit that is passed down from grandfather to grandson."
The scene summarizes part of the history of an entity created precisely to bring people closer. Italians who lived in São PauloWhen the Circolo was founded on April 13, 1911, immigrants used to meet in separate groups according to their city or region of origin. The first headquarters operated in a rented two-story building at Rua São Bento, 85, in the city center.
From immigration to the table.
Today, gastronomy is one of the most visible forms of this connection with Italy. Among the restaurant's most popular dishes are pinsa romana, spaghetti alla carbonara, and ossobuco.
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According to Messina, pinsa is the most requested specialty. The president states that part of the preference lies in the ingredients, among them... mozzarella of Italian origin and selected tomatoes.
The customer profile changes throughout the week. On weekdays, professionals who work in the central region predominate, especially those from offices, banks, and companies. On weekends, families and descendants of Italians appear, some of whom have been connected to the establishment for generations.
The kitchen is also undergoing changes. The house chef, originally from Neapolitans, has been incorporating new techniques and compositions into the menu. The intention, according to management, is to update the experience without turning tradition into a museum piece.
Messina says the menu seeks to "balance the traditional essence with the innovations that today's public demands."
Circolo is at the origin of the Edifício Itália.
The relationship of the Circolo with the Italy Building It predates the construction of the skyscraper.
In the 1950s, the organization's leadership revived an old project to replace its headquarters with a large building that could concentrate activities and institutions linked to the Italian community. The plans included space for the Circolo itself, as well as for Italian entities and companies.
The cornerstone of the future Edifício Itália was laid on April 29, 1956. The institution followed the project's development and, in August 1963, began preparing its spaces in the complex, even before the completion of construction.
The new headquarters were officially inaugurated on April 18, 1966, and at the time, it was the tallest concrete building in South America.
Much more than a restaurant
The Circolo also maintains cultural activities, with lectures, musical performances, dance, and other events related to Italy.
Messina states that the institution has an "intense cultural agenda" and seeks to welcome new projects without abandoning its identity.
Among the initiatives is "Dialogue in the Dark," an immersive experience about Italian immigration to Brazil that has been welcoming families and school groups.
More than a century after that first meeting of immigrants in São PauloThe function of the Circolo has changed, but part of its logic remains. The place that was created to bring Italians together now gathers their descendants around food, memory, and culture.
