Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
9
Museu de Arte do Rio Grande do Sul
Praça da Alfândega • Tues-Sun 10am-7pm • Free •
T
51 3227 2311,
W
margs.rs.gov.br
Built in 1912 for the Revenue Service, the stately
Museu de Arte do Rio Grande do Sul
has been a showcase for
gaúcho
artists since 1979. The nineteenth-century landscapes
here deserve particular attention. The permanent collection includes work from
neo-realist Cândido Portinari, Emiliano Di Cavalcanti, local boy Iberê Camargo
and Xico Stockinger (who died in the city in 2009).
Memorial do Rio Grande do Sul
Rua Sete de Setembro 1020 (Praça da Alfândega) • Tues-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 2-5pm • Free •
T
51 3224 1724,
W
memorial.rs.gov.br
The grand Neoclassical Correios e Telégrafos (post o
ce) building was completed in
1914, and now serves as the
Memorial do Rio Grande do Sul
. Housed here are the state
archives, along with an oral history centre and various other artefacts preserving the
history of Rio Grande do Sul; galleries host travelling exhibitions and rotating displays
from the permanent collection.
Santander Cultural
Rua Sete de Setembro 1028 (Praça da Alfândega) • Tues-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat & Sun 11am-7pm • Free •
T
51 3287 5500,
W
santandercultural.com.br
he
Santander Cultural
completes the trio of historic buildings on the north side of
Praça da Alfândega that hosts temporary exhibitions of Brazilian art, often major works
from galleries in São Paulo. The building itself, a converted 1932 bank, features some
remarkable stained-glass windows, while the basement where the vaults were installed
now houses an art movie theatre and café.
Praça da Matriz
Crowning the hill to the south of Praça da Alfândega is
Praça da Matriz
(o
cially
called Praça Marechal Deodoro), a square of greenery surrounded by a mix of
Modernist of
ces and some of Porto Alegre's oldest buildings. The north side is
dominated by the modern
Palácio da Justiça
(courthouse) and
Theatro São Pedro
, while
some delicate examples of nineteenth-century architecture grace the east side, including
the former
Consulado Italiano
(Italian consulate) at no. 134, whose prominent position
reflects the important role Italians once played in Porto Alegre (it's now the Brazilian
Progressive Party building). On the west side of the square lies the modern
Palácio
Farroupilha
, the state legislative assembly.
Catedral Metropolitana
Praça da Matriz • Sun-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-4pm • Free •
T
51 3228 6001,
W
catedralmetropolitana.org.br
The wonderful facade of the
Catedral Metropolitana
looms over the south side of the
Praça da Matriz, replete with lavish mosaics, twin towers and a 75m-high dome (one
of the largest in the world). The present Italianate structure was begun in 1921, and
wasn't completed until 1986 - the decor is relatively plain inside, though the altar
features a mural by talented local artist Aldo Locatelli.
Palácio Piratini
Praça da Matriz • Tours (Portuguese only) every 30min; Mon-Wed & Fri 9-11.30am & 2-5.30pm, Thurs 9-11.30am • Free •
T
51 3210 4100,
W
estado.rs.gov.br
The seat of the executive branch of state government since 1921 (essentially the
governor's o
ce), the
Palácio Piratini
was completed in 1909. Designed by French
architect Maurice Grãs, the Neoclassical pile was inspired by the Petit Trianon
palace at Versailles. Tour highlights include panels painted by Aldo Locatelli,
including the much-loved Negrinho do Pastoreio, and statues by French sculptor
Raul Landowski.
