Monumento a Júlio de Castilhos

The monument is made from bronze and granite and combines a central female figure holding a torch with allegorical statues grouped on a pink granite base. The whole composition rises about 75 feet (22.5 meters) and features distinct sections that work together to form a unified narrative.

The monument was built to honor Júlio de Castilhos, a governor of Rio Grande do Sul in the late 1800s who shaped the region's future. Its inscriptions date from 1907 and reflect a moment when the region was defining its own identity.

The figures surrounding the monument tell stories about values that matter to Rio Grande do Sul. You see gaucho riders and female figures that together reflect how people here understand their region and its past.

The monument is located on a central plaza in downtown Porto Alegre, within walking distance of government buildings and easy to reach by foot. The public square is open during the day and offers good sightlines to view the sculpture from different angles.

The base of the monument features a geometric pattern of stars, with each star representing one of the Brazilian states and creating a connection to national unity. This detail is often overlooked by visitors but carries important symbolic meaning for understanding the structure.