Porto Alegre - Rio Grande do Sul

This is the capital city of Rio Grande do Sul.

It is located 1.123 from Sao Paulo.

Porto Alegre is a geographical centre because many important routes traverse it. In fact, it is a strategic territory that joins the cities of Buenos Aires, Montevideo and Sao Paulo.

Porto Alegre possesses a particular population, in terms of races, that was the result of diverse immigrations, mainly, from Italy, Germany and some other countries.

The city is a significant commercial point and an excellent center for business.

A stroll through the downtown

Central Public Market, is a former neo classical style building, it was opened in 1869. There are kiosks that sell typical products of the state, restaurants and bars. Opposite it, there is a square named Chale da Praca XV, Bavaro style, with art-nouveau details and a steel structure which was built in 1915.

Paço Municipal is in front of the market. It has artistic figures from France and marble lions. The local is the headquarter of the municipality.

Fonte Talavera de la Reina, was a present from the Spanish colony for the hundredth anniversary of the Farroupilha revolution in 1935. It is the point of reference for visiting other places.

Esquina democrática, traditional place for political demonstrations.

Metropolitan Cathedral, has renaissance style, its construction began in 1929.

Paratini Palace is located beside the Government seat of the state, Luis XVI style. Inside, there are several paintings of Aldo Locatelli, specially which one show the “gauchas” legends of Negrinho do Pastoreio.

Sao Pedro Theatre, is a jewel of the baroque Portuguese architecture, it was inaugurated in 1858 and decorated in velvet and gold. Here, the best Brazilian singers present their concerts.

Bridge of Stone was built by slaves and is conserved yet; it is the monument of the Asorianos who began the city colonization. Inside, it is the building of the Administrative Center of the State.

Praca da Alfandenga, when Porto Alegre was a small locality, there were a chapel and a port, that time ago the rivers get to this place. It was the center of the town.

There are a lot of old buildings that were conserved in the square.

Art Museum of Rio Grande do Sul, placed in an old building where is the best artistic heritage of the state.                      

Nossa Señora das Dores Church, is the oldest and traditional church (among other churches in the downtown), its fundamental stone was put on February 2, 1807.                   

Casa de Cultura Mario Quintana, installed in a building what was the traditional Magestic hotel with eclectic style, built at the beginning of XX century and restored in 1990. It is one of the most complete cultural centers of Brazil.

Usina do Gasómetro, cultural center placed in the building that was the thermoelectric that supply the city. The enormous chimney was conserved as part of oven that was used inside the building. The local is the point of reference of the inhabitants with a lot of cultural activity. Visit it and go up to its terrace for having beautiful views of Guaiba River.