12 incredible old postcards of Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo is a city that, like any other big metropolis, has suffered throughout the 20th century from many transformations. However, few other cities present such shocking contrasts between the past and the present. To demonstrate how profound, and not always beneficial, these transformations were, we’ve selected 12 old postcards printed between 1921 and 1967; these views show us a Sao Paulo that barely exists anymore.

1. The city without traffic

saopauloantiga.com.br / Via oldsaopaulo.com

Who today could even imagine that Avenida 9 de Julho could look so tranquil, almost deserted? On the left side we see the Brasilar Building still under construction, while to the right the famous Joelma Building hasn’t yet been built.

2. More colorful cars

Via oldsaopaulo.com

It’s worth noting that the absence of different-colored cars renders a view of this lovely city as cold and grey. Color is completely missing in this scene of the Largo do Arouche. To the rear, near the horizon, the Italia Building is in its final stages of construction

3. One scene replaces the other

The same area of the Centro is known for its iconic buildings. On the postcard we see the old, unforgetable Vila Normanda, a true slice of Europe in old Sao Paulo. It was still standing then, though it would be demolished a few years later when the Italia Building was built. Which of the two do you prefer?

4. The suffering of a dying park

Quick, answer this question: how many times have you enjoyed going to Dom Pedro II Park? If you are younger than 40, it’s possible that you never got a chance to have that experience. It used to be a green space with everything it needed to be the most beautiful urban park in all of Brazil; whereas these days, there are times that one is really afraid to even drive through there. But the following view shows us that in the past the beauty of this park was breathtaking.

5. What’s up with no lanes?

In this incredible postcard of the Bandeira Square, (Where is the actual square?) we see indications that yesterday’s paulista traffic is already on the way to today’s chaos. There are no pedestrian crosswalks. People and cars just go wherever they want, from any direction, without any guidelines!

6. Sao Paulo’s Broadway

The “Cidade Limpa” law, created under the administration of mayor Gilberto Kassab, was quite beneficial for the city. But it’s impossible not to appreciate Avenida Sao Joao in this rare colored postcard from the 1960′s. It certainly reminds one of Broadway in old New York.

7. Tranquil afternoons at the airport!

The youngest folks among us did not have this pleasure, but those who did enjoy it have not forgotten. Spending the afternoon at the cafe at Congonhas Airport watching the take-offs and arrivals had to have been great fun for every age.

8. The Museu Paulista Gardens

In this beautiful colored postcard from the 1950′s the large central walkway (now a Mecca for skateboarders) of the Paulista Museum did not yet exist. That area was open to cars and buses. We can see ads for cigarets on museum land… off to the right in this view.

9. Where is everybody?

Avenida Brigadeiro Luis Antonio is absolutely deserted in this postcard from the 1920′s. Instead of the noisy buses that we encounter today, there are just 2 streetcars and a few automobiles.

10. A more charming center-city

Although many people do appreciate the modern buildings that have been built in Sao Paulo, such as those on Libero Badaro Street, as well as on the Patriarca Square, it is undeniable that the region was much more charming when the twin Prates Palaces and the old Mappin building still existed. They were demolished to make room for a skyscraper-bank.

11. The 9 de Julho Palace

At the time this postcard was printed, the magnificent Palace of Industry bore this other name (9th of July/9 de Julho). Nevertheless, the beauty and elegancy of this part of Sao Paulo is what most claims our attention in this view.The area was demolished by poorly planned roadways, such as the Diario Popular Viaduct. Will we see an area this beautiful ever again?

12. Narrower sidewalks

Lastly, we can see in this postcard from the 1950′s that the view of the Largo Sao Francisco is not very different than it is today. The Law School building hasn’t changed, just the sidewalks are much narrower than they once were.