Sagrado e histórico: a Catedral Nossa Senhora da Oliveira como lugar de memória vacariense

Abstract

This dissertation, situated in the field of History, analyzes the Cathedral of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira, located in downtown Vacaria, Rio Grande do Sul, as a cultural heritage site and a place of collective memory. Devotion to the patron saint originated around 1750, when the image of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira was found during a field burn at the site where the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira currently stands, consolidating itself as a founding landmark of local religiosity and a symbolic reference for the community. The research problem guiding the study is: how has the Cathedral of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira contributed to the construction of Vacaria's identity, and in what ways do processes of preservation, memory, and heritage disputes influence the meanings attributed to this space by the community? The general objective was to analyze the Cathedral as a cultural heritage site and a symbol of Vacaria's identity. Specific objectives included: historically contextualizing the origin and construction of the Cathedral of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira, situating it within the city's formation process; examining interventions, renovations, and restorations carried out on the temple, highlighting controversies and disputes over heritage preservation; interpreting collective narratives and memories related to the Cathedral through oral history and documentary and visual records; discussing the Cathedral as a place of memory and an identity symbol; and evaluating the role of cultural heritage in maintaining Vacaria's identity and promoting collective memory, also considering the production of the documentary as a tool for preservation and cultural dissemination. The methodology combined documentary analysis and oral history, with interviews of individuals possessing in-depth knowledge and direct involvement in the Cathedral's and the city's history. These contributions were essential to understanding its historical, architectural, cultural, spiritual, and environmental significance, highlighting the relationship between the temple, memory, and the identity of the Vacarian community. The results indicate that the Cathedral is perceived not only as an architectural monument but also as a space of faith, belonging, and memory, marked by disputes over preservation and tensions between tradition and modernity. The produced documentary integrates voices, images, and recollections of the community, functioning as a resource for historical documentation, dissemination, and education, reinforcing the centrality of collective memory and cultural heritage in the construction of Vacaria's identity. [resumo fornecido pelo autor]