House - For Sale - São Paulo , São Paulo

Community Description

Mooca is one of the most traditional and oldest neighborhoods in São Paulo. The region has peculiar characteristics that no other district in the city has. The Italian heritage is noticeable in the accent and way of expressing oneself with one's hands, characteristic of fellow countrymen from the European country who still reside in the neighborhood. The local cuisine also has a strong Italian influence and makes the neighborhood a reference for pasta and pizza.

Anyone who was born or lives in the neighborhood is immensely proud to be from the region. For many, Mooca is more than a district of the country's largest metropolis, it is a way of life. Its history can even be confused with that of São Paulo.

However, anyone who believes that only Italians have influence in the neighborhood is mistaken. The name of the region has indigenous origin. According to historians, Mooca comes from Tupi Guarani and means “To Make House” - moo (to do) and oca (house). The names of some streets also refer to the indigenous people, such as Janguruçu, Taquari, Curupacê and Guaimbé.

In the beginning, around 1870, the region was home to farms and large houses, making it one of the best places to live. And Mooca never lost its charm and glamour.

One of the historic moments of the neighborhood is the creation of the Clube Paulista de Corridas de Cavalo, currently known as the Jockey Club, in 1876. The place had a capacity for 1200 people and kept the district busy until 1941, with the presence of high society from the café. One of the interesting facts about the leisure space is that the Marquesa de Santos was one of the horse racing entertainers. With the rise of the club, a year after its inauguration, the Mooca-Centro tram line was created, powered by animal traction.

Over the years, the region changed and houses and farms gave way to factories and plants. In 1891, Companhia Antarctica Paulista was founded in the neighborhood, which originally produced beer and also started manufacturing soft drinks. With the installation of industries, Mooca became known as a factory neighborhood for many years. However, nowadays, there are few companies located there.

Around 1930, the neighborhood began its urbanization process. Transport and sidewalks facilitated the creation of Clube Crespi, origin of the famous Clube Atlético Juventus – one of the region’s tourist attractions.

Today, the neighborhood accommodates houses and buildings, and continues in a process of real estate transformation. Mooca offers convenience and quality of life for its residents.

The region has great educational options, from Kindergarten to Higher Education. It is there that the schools São Judas Tadeu, Liceu Santa Cruz, Objective, Ouro Preto and Santa Catarina are located, as well as private universities such as Universidade São Judas, Anhembi Morumbi, UNIP (Universidade Paulista), Faculdade das Américas, Instituto Superior de Advertising Communication and Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology.

Mooca is where Seu Antônio's traditional cannoli is present. The Italian delicacy is sold at the door of the Juventus stadium and is produced by Antônio himself, with a recipe dating back over 50 years. Still talking about sweets, the famous Di Cunto confectionery has been operating at the same address since 1935 and has a variety of delicacies that make it one of the most popular sweet shops in the city.

Another classic from the region is Esfiha Juventus, which has also been located at the same address since 1967. They say that the tradition of enjoying local esfihas is passed down from generation to generation. Another point in Mooca is the São Pedro pizzeria, which has been an icon in the neighborhood for 53 years. Still on Italian cuisine, for 35 years the Don Carlini restaurant has been offering its classic recipes, such as spaghetti ai gamberi with prawns, green and red peppers tossed in garlic, olive oil and parsley, and the San Remo rondelle.

What is not lacking in Mooca is traditionality. Felipe Zanutto, chef and grandson of Italians, did thorough research on his ancestors at the Immigration Museum, located in Mooca, to open his restaurant Hospedaria, in the same neighborhood. The dishes are based both on his study of Italian culture and on his affective memory.

But don't worry, there are other gastronomic options that can be tried in the neighborhood. This is the case of Avenida Bistrô and Bravo Bistrô, which serve delicious French cuisine. But, if your preference is for American-style barbecue, be sure to visit Cadillac BBQ.

In addition to the traditional Clube Atlético Juventus, Mooca houses several leisure spaces, such as the Immigration Museum and the Arthur Azevedo Theater, opened in 1952.

For those who like to revisit the past and remember the time when listening to music went beyond pressing play on the app, it's worth a trip to Casarão do Vinil, with more than 700 thousand records in the collection. For those who appreciate art and religion, the tip is to visit the beautiful São Rafael Parish, built in 1937.

Parque Sabesp Mooca and Praça Visconde de Souza Fontes are great outdoor leisure options.

Another cultural space to visit is Nos Trilhos, an old workshop where you can find old trains and tracks from São Paulo's railways. There, exhibitions, events and parties take place. Part of the money raised from the events goes towards the maintenance and restoration of historic trains. There, you can see a 1922 Maria Fumaça up close, which is one of the neighborhood's tourist attractions.