What are the curiosities of the “Paredão de Esculturas”, located in Santa Catarina?

On a rocky slope off the BR-116, inside Santa Catarina, a set of figures carved in stone attracts the attention of passers-by. The so-called Wall of Sculptures has transformed an ordinary stretch of highway into a frequent stopping point for travelers, photographers and the curious. There, art and history mix in open relief, in direct contact with wind, rain and the continuous flow of vehicles.

The site is distinguished by bringing together, in a single rock wall, historical figures, religious symbols, representations of workers and personalities linked to regional culture. The Santa Catarina Sculpture Wall was not designed as a traditional museum, but ended up becoming a different type of gallery: open-air, free and integrated into the mountain landscape, which arouses the interest of visitors of different ages.

What is the sculpture wall in Santa Catarina?

The Wall of Sculptures is a set of works carved directly into the rock, along the highway, in the territory of Santa Catarina. The figures were carved over the years, from blocks of stone that were once only part of the hillside. Over time, the wall gained dozens of faces, scenes and symbols, forming a large panel that shows insight into the history and popular religiosity of Brazil’s southern region.

The main feature of this artistic wall is the integration between the road and the cultural landscape. Anyone traveling the stretch will find, on one side, the intense movement of trucks and cars; on the other, sculptures referring to saints, Indians, colonizers, animals and everyday scenes. This combination makes the Paredão de Esculturas a reference point for those crossing Santa Catarina via the BR-116, especially on road tourism routes.

Why does the Sculpture Wall attract so many visitors?

The popularity of the Santa Catarina Sculpture Wall is linked to simple but striking factors. First, the easy access: it’s literally right on the side of the highway, eliminating the need for long trails or complex drives. Second, visual curiosity: sculpted figures attract the attention of even those passing quickly, encouraging people to stop and observe more calmly.

Among the elements that arouse the most interest are:

• Historical and religious figureswhich refer to the cultural formation of Santa Catarina;
• Worker figureslike truckers and farmers, linked to the routine of the region;
• Popular artistic expressionswith simple lines, but full of symbolic details;
• Integration with naturebecause the sculptures take advantage of the relief of the rock itself.

Additionally, the sculpture wall became a frequent setting for photographic recordings. Drivers who pass through Santa Catarina on long journeys find it a point of break, rest and observation, which strengthens transient tourism and helps promote the place on social networks and in traveler reports.

Art and history in the rocks: what does the Wall of Sculptures represent?

The central theme of the Wall of Sculptures is the relationship between art and history engraved in stone. In Santa Catarina, this wall functions as a panel that summarizes the different layers of regional memory. The sculptures depict elements of European colonization, indigenous references, images of the Christian faith and symbols of road works, reflecting something of the daily lives of those who live and travel in the region.

Generally speaking, the Sculpture Wall represents:

1. Informal historical document: scenes and figures referring to locally known facts and characters;
2. Accessible art: everyone can observe the sculptures without paying entry and without respecting visiting hours;
3. Regional identity: the choice of themes reinforces the link with Santa Catarina and the south of the country;
4. Memory of the road: constant presence of truckers and travelers in the sculpted iconography.

This combination makes the wall function like an open book, in which each carved face or scene represents a chapter of local history. Unlike a single monument, dozens of small works coexist, which can be observed at different levels of detail.

How to enjoy your visit to the Sculpture Wall in complete safety?

Since it’s on a busy highway, visiting the Santa Catarina Sculpture Wall requires some basic precautions. Observation of the sculptures is generally done from setbacks and spaces suitable for stopping, always respecting the signage. The idea is that artistic curiosity does not compromise attention to heavy traffic.

Here are some general guidelines for those wishing to visit the wall:

• Use only authorized parking spaces away from the road;
• Avoid crossing the highway on foot in sections without adequate signage;
• Be particularly attentive on rainy or foggy days, common in mountain areas;
• Preserve the site, without scratching, breaking or damaging the rock carvings.

These measures help maintain the Sculpture Wall as a space for coexistence between art, nature and road travel, ensuring that the body of work remains accessible to those passing through Santa Catarina for decades to come.

What is the role of the Wall of Sculptures in tourism in Santa Catarina?

In the tourist context of Santa Catarina, the Wall of Sculptures is a complementary but significant point of interest. It does not replace more well-known destinations, such as coastal or mountain towns, but it does help enrich the experience of those traveling by car across the state. On routes combining mountains and coast, the wall serves as an intermediate stop, providing quick contact with local art and history.

In recent years, the growth of road tourism and photographic travel recordings has increased the visibility of the sculpture wall. The constant presence on digital maps, route guides and online publications reinforces the role of this stone panel as an alternative calling card for Santa Catarina, showing that, even on the side of the highway, art finds space to tell stories and mark the landscape.