Eclectic façade
Rich ornament.
Eugenio Hansen, OFS — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Arlety da Silva — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Eugenio Hansen, OFS — CC BY-SA 3.0 · foto original de Eugenio Hansen, OFS — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Eugenio Hansen, OFS — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Rio Grande do Sul State Public Library is a cultural institution in Porto Alegre's historic centre, a few steps from the Theatro São Pedro, the cathedral and the Piratini Palace. Its building is protected by the national and state heritage institutes and by the city, and with its ornate façade and painted interior halls it is one of the finest eclectic buildings downtown. The library was created by a provincial law of 14 April 1871, which set aside eight contos de réis to buy books and created the posts of librarian and assistant to run it. It opened on 21 January 1877 in the old building of the Dom Afonso lyceum, at the corner of Rua Duque de Caxias and Rua Marechal Floriano, had 8,000 volumes by 1895, and later moved to its present building. The library is open to readers and visitors today, and the building is worth entering for its ornate historic halls. Check opening times, and combine it with Praça da Matriz, the Piratini Palace and the Theatro São Pedro on one walk through the historic centre.
Rich ornament.
Painted rooms.
By Praça da Matriz.
Rua Riachuelo, Historic Centre, Porto Alegre
Praça da Matriz (Porto Alegre)Praça da Matriz, officially Praça Marechal Deodoro, is the heart of Porto Alegre2 minutes walk
Piratini PalaceThe Piratini Palace is the seat of the Rio Grande do Sul state government, on Pr3 minutes walk4.6
Viaduto Otávio RochaThe Otávio Rocha Viaduct is one of Porto Alegre's outstanding feats of engineeri4 minutes walk4.4
Rio Grande do Sul Museum of Art (MARGS)The Rio Grande do Sul Museum of Art, MARGS, holds the largest public collection 4 minutes walk4.8
Casa de Cultura Mario QuintanaThe Casa de Cultura Mario Quintana fills the former Hotel Majestic, the grandest6 minutes walk4.9By a provincial law of 1871; it opened on 21 January 1877.