Carlos Gomes Square

Founded in 1880, Carlos Gomes Square, located in the downtown [pt] of Campinas, a city in the interior of the state of São Paulo, was designed by architect Ramos de Azevedo and serves as a public tribute to composer Antônio Carlos Gomes while he was still alive, a practice that was quite unusual in Brazil.^[a][7][8] In 1883, 100 imperial palm trees were purchased and planted around the square, most of which still stand today.^[9][10][11] In 1914, the square was leveled and landscaped, and a bandstand was added, which still stands there today.^[12][13]

In different corners of the square, there are two monuments: one dedicated to the jurist Ruy Barbosa and another dedicated to Tomás Alves, a doctor from Campinas who played a key role in combating the 1889 yellow fever epidemic.^[13][14] On two occasions, in 2010 and 2013, the 30-kilogram bronze bust honoring Dr. Thomaz Alves was stolen by criminals.^[15] Since then, the bust has been missing from the square.^{[16][better source needed]} From the square, you can see the Itatiaia Building, the only project designed by Oscar Niemeyer architect in Campinas.^[17]

Since the completion of the construction work, the square has hosted performances by popular bands, making it a popular gathering place for local families at the time.^[13][18] Today, the square hosts various markets, provides services for the homeless, and serves as a venue for a variety of events.^[19][20][21]

In 2015, the bandstand in the square began the process of being designated a historic landmark, in conjunction with the Campinas Council for the Defense of Cultural Heritage [pt] (CONDEPACC).^[22][23] It was manufactured by Mac Hardy Company, one of the first companies in the industry, located in the city of Campinas and established in 1913.^[24][25]

The square was chosen as one of the filming locations for the first phase of A Lei do Amor, Rede Globo’s 9 p.m. soap opera.^[26][27][28] The square was chosen because of its bandstand and green space.^[29]