Ponte de Pedra, Stone bridge monument in Largo dos Açorianos, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Ponte de Pedra is a stone structure with three arched pillars located in Largo dos Açorianos that stands as a focal point in the urban landscape. The monument features a water mirror installation beneath its arches, which forms a design element of the plaza.
The structure was commissioned in 1846 by the Count of Caxias and replaced an earlier wooden bridge dating to 1825 that linked southern farmland to the city center. After the Diluvio stream was straightened in 1937, its practical purpose transformed into that of a monument.
The site carries a name evoking the Azores islands, reflecting the Portuguese settlement heritage of the region. Today visitors can see how the surrounding plaza functions as a gathering space for local celebrations and community events.
The site is located in central Porto Alegre and can be reached easily on foot as it sits on a public plaza. Visitors can observe the structure year-round and in any weather, since it remains as a permanent urban feature.
The structure was originally a working bridge that carried people and goods across the stream until the stream diversion made it obsolete. Its quiet presence today serves as a reminder of how the city transformed in the 20th century and which infrastructure fell out of use.
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