Hundred-year-old water
São Lourenço water is also about history and tradition. In 1826, in a valley surrounded by rolling hills, at the confluence of three rivers, a naturally carbonated and crystalline spring was found, which was believed to have healing powers.
Before surfacing at the spring, São Lourenço water journeys through rocks rich in substances such as carbonate, and calcium sulfate. These minerals dissolve in the water and enrich it; the geographic and geologic conditions of the region give São Lourenço the lightness and naturalness that have caused it to be part of the best mealtime moments.
São Lourenço timeline
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1890
Company founded
On June 4 of this year, Companhia das Águas de São Lourenço was founded, although it was only registered on December 9, 1891. The name São Lourenço is in honor of the owners’ father, Lieutenant-Coronel Lourenço Xavier da Veiga.
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1891
The first Mass
On August 10, the first outdoor mass was held on the property, officiated by the vicar of Carmo do Rio Verde, Canon Antônio Gomes de Faria Nogueira. On November 18, the women of the Veiga family decided to build the chapel for the Bom Jesus do Monte Hermitage.
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1892
The Fonte Oriente spring (carbonated) was the first to be collected; it was opened on August 10 of this year.
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1895
A year of improvements
The lands of Cia. das Águas Minerais de São Lourenço were sold by their owner, João Pedro da Veiga Filho, to entrepreneur Afonso Noronha França, in partnership with José Joaquim da Nova. This year, the bottling building, warehouses, workshops, and bathroom facilities were built.
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1903
The first São Lourenço Church was built.
The Bom Jesus do Monte Hermitage was completed. Newspapers from the time show that the construction of the church, the first one in São Lourenço, started at the back.
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1920
New Management
Management of Companhia das Águas was transferred to Rio-based company Vieira Mattos & Cia. The new owner was responsible for the expansion of the bottling system and for exporting the water, as well as for the restoration of the carbonated and magnesium-rich springs and for the collection at the iron-rich spring.
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1923
On May 22 of this year, the company’s holdings were transferred to Banco da Lavoura e Comércio do Brasil.
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1925
Joint-stock Company
In November, the company Sociedade Anônima Empresa de Águas São Lourenço was formed, with Achim Ribeiro de Oliveira as president and Manoel Afonso Alves as vice president.
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1927
A new municipality
In May of this year, a campaign was run to build a staircase to facilitate access to the Bom Jesus do Monte Hermitage, replacing the dirt ramp. The work was completed that same year. São Lourenço was elevated to the category of municipality on April 1 of this year.
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1929
Opening of the Vichy Source
Under the management of Commander Francisco de Souza Costa, the company underwent a modernization phase. It demarcated a protection area around the mineral springs, built catchments for new springs, executed landscaping and sanitation projects, built an artificial lake, and constructed a catchment for the alkaline spring, with the main one being the Vichy Spring.
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1935
Innovation in management
Portuguese entrepreneur Jayme Lino da Cunha Sotto Maior is named manager of Cia. das Águas; he introduces new strategies in advertising and product sales and signs an agreement with the railroad for exclusive use of two railcars for transport of mineral waters. “O Balneário”—a hydrotherapeutic center—opens on April 26.
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1936 to 1938
Getúlio Vargas
Then-president Getúlio Vargas paid regular visits to São Lourenço. During one of his visits, he planted a seedling of a brazilwood (Brazil’s national tree).
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1947
Use of locomotives
Under the management of Átila Carvalhaes Pinheiro, crates of water started to be transported by small gas-driven locomotives (replacing the use of animals).
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1948
Inauguration of the cathedral
São Lourenço was dedicated on December 25 of this year. The church accommodated a congregation of a size in line with the growth of the municipality, whereas the Senhor Jesus do Monte Hermitage was a chapel.
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1974
Acquisition by Perrier
Empresa de Águas São Lourenço was acquired by the multinational Perrier. Due to the growing number of visitors, the company acquired an area equivalent to 90,000 m2 (22 acres), where it built Parque II (opened in 1986).
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1992
Purchase by Nestlé Waters
The company Nestlé Waters acquired the Perrier Group and took on the management of São Lourenço Springs Park.
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2018
Minalba Brasil
A member of the Edson Queiroz Group, 100% Brazilian-owned, Minalba Brasil acquired the water division of Nestlé Waters Brasil, thus taking on the São Lourenço brand.
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2020
The 130th anniversary of São Lourenço water. Our craving doesn’t quit!
São Lourenço Springs Park
The main tourist attraction in the city of São Lourenço, anyone visiting the park takes with them good memories and a desire to come back! Located in the state of Minas Gerais, in the so-called “Water Circuit” region, it boasts 430,000 square meters, with nine mineral water sources, each with its own therapeutic and medicinal properties. The park offers relaxation, dining, and amazing attractions for you and the whole family.
Come get to know a bit more about the world of São Lourenço!