Um olhar para os monumentos públicos: a modificação da paisagem na região das Três Santas

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the transformations of the landscape as a public space in the municipalities of Santa Leopoldina, Santa Maria de Jetibá, and Santa Teresa, located in the Centro-Serrana region of Espírito Santo, through the analysis of the formal dimension of public monuments. It is based on the hypothesis that monuments not only document modes of territorial appropriation but also reflect historical, cultural, and identity processes that have shaped the occupation of this territory, especially in the context of the migratory flows of the late 19th century. The study examines landscape modifications from the perspective of the culturalization of natural spaces, observing how immigrant occupation contributed to the construction of symbolic landmarks that express a sense of belonging and historicity. The investigation of monuments erected throughout the 20th century seeks to understand their role in the organization of collective memory, recording experiences and values that interact with different moments in the region’s historical trajectory. Additionally, the research analyzes how these monuments reflect the construction of identity and cultural narratives in the landscape, considering geographical, ethnographic, and gender aspects. Regarding ethnographic and gender representation, the female figure is addressed as an element that highlights both power dynamics and gaps in the collective memories expressed in the landscape. The expected results include the identification of patterns of landscape modification through monuments, recognizing them as cultural manifestations that convey layers of meaning regarding immigrant presence and its impact on the configuration of the local territory. By exploring the relationships between monuments, landscape, and memory, the research aims to contribute to a broader understanding of the processes that structure the symbolic construction of public spaces and cultural identity in the region. In this way, it seeks to encourage a critical reflection on how tangible and intangible heritage is negotiated in the shaping of public landscapes and the dispute for historical representation.