Palácio de Barro, Colonial governmental palace in Porto Alegre, Brazil
The Palácio de Barro is a governmental palace in Porto Alegre built using clay, stucco, and wood materials. The structure displays the architectural style typical of colonial administrative buildings in southern Brazil, with distinctive proportions and construction methods.
The palace was designed in 1772 as the first governmental seat of the city, commissioned by Governor José Marcelino de Figueiredo and created by Captain Alexandre José Montanha. It served as the administrative center of Rio Grande do Sul until 1896, when a new governmental palace replaced it.
The structure represented the administrative power transfer from Viamão to Porto Alegre, establishing the city as the new capital of Rio Grande do Sul.
The building sits in the center of Porto Alegre and is easily accessible on foot. Visitors should note that access and viewing conditions may vary, so it is helpful to check current visiting arrangements beforehand.
The building takes its name from its primary material: barro means clay in Portuguese, used for the sturdy construction of the walls. This naming directly reflects the simple and practical building method that was characteristic of colonial administrative architecture in the region.
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