Campinas' Urban Legends: G1 Explores 25 Stories Shaping the City's Identity

On its 252nd anniversary, Campinas, Brazil, is the subject of an in-depth investigation by g1, which has explored 25 stories that have become part of the city's collective imagination. Presented in an interactive infographic shaped like an iceberg, the project aims to distinguish fact from myth by examining characters, urban legends, historical events, and curiosities. Among the investigated tales is the persistent rumor of a secret laboratory, known as "Pavilhão 18," at Unicamp, allegedly used for analyzing extraterrestrial beings after the Varginha incident in 1996. Unicamp has officially denied any such facility, stating it has never existed within the university and that the story fuels a narrative without foundation. The investigation also delves into the history of the Fepasa Pedestrian Tunnel, built in 1918 and now a protected landmark. This tunnel, originally intended to connect the city center with Vila Industrial, has been the backdrop for various legends, including the "Old Man with the Umbrella" and the "Spotlight Ghost," evolving over decades from frightening apparitions to more benign tales of spectral guidance. The report also commemorates notable figures from Campinas' past, such as Aldo Chioratto, a scout tragically killed in a 1932 bombing during the Constitutionalist Revolution, who is now honored with a street and historical recognition. Geovina Ramos de Oliveira, known as Gilda, is remembered for her flamboyant style and eccentric persona in the mid-20th century, inspiring artistic works and a documentary. Finally, João Lopes de Camargo, or Mané Fala Ó, a familiar face in the city center known for his distinctive greeting, is also highlighted, with his life and passing in 2003 being commemorated with a plaque at the Saudade Cemetery.