Locatelli murals
Gaúcho legends.
Ricardo André Frantz (User:Tetraktys) — CC BY-SA 3.0 · No machine-readable author provided. Luferom assumed (based on copyright claims). — Public domain · Ricardo André Frantz (User:Tetraktys) — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Andervaz — CC BY-SA 3.0 · gilson martinez — CC BY-SA 3.0
The Piratini Palace is the seat of the Rio Grande do Sul state government, on Praça da Matriz in Porto Alegre's historic centre, and has been the official residence of thirty-eight governors. It replaced the «Clay Palace» built on the same site in 1773, which had fallen apart by the late 19th century; a cornerstone for a first design was laid in 1896, but work stopped because the building no longer matched the state's ambitions. The government sent a delegation to Paris in 1908 for an international competition and finally adopted a design by the French architect Maurice Gras, giving the palace a French neoclassical style with stone façades and grand salons. Inside are murals by the Italian painter Aldo Locatelli showing the legends of gaúcho country, above all the tale of the «Negrinho do Pastoreio», after which one of the halls is named. Free guided tours run on weekdays, with monthly weekend tours that include rooms not usually shown; registration is free on the palace website and places are limited. The Theatro São Pedro and the cathedral stand on the same square.
Gaúcho legends.
French style.
Theatre and cathedral.
Praça Marechal Deodoro (Praça da Matriz), historic centre, Porto Alegre
Casa de Cultura Mario QuintanaThe Casa de Cultura Mario Quintana fills the former Hotel Majestic, the grandest6 minutes walk4.9
Rio Grande do Sul Museum of Art (MARGS)The Rio Grande do Sul Museum of Art, MARGS, holds the largest public collection 6 minutes walk4.8
Porto Alegre Public MarketThe Public Market is Porto Alegre's oldest market and one of its best-loved meet9 minutes walk4.6
Orla do Guaíba (Guaíba Waterfront)The Orla do Guaíba, officially Parque Jaime Lerner after the urbanist whose offi14 minutes walk4.8
Farroupilha Park (Redenção)Farroupilha Park, which everyone in Porto Alegre calls Redenção, is the city's m18 minutes walk4.7On a free weekday guided tour or one of the monthly weekend tours, registering ahead on the palace website.