Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady Mother of God, Porto Alegre, Catholic cathedral in Centro Histórico, Porto Alegre, Brazil

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady Mother of God is a pale beige stone church on Praça da Matriz, with twin towers topped by small domes and crosses, a triangular pediment, and three arched mosaic panels above a wide central entrance. Inside, two rows of dark wooden pews face a raised white altar beneath a central dome ringed by gold-trimmed recesses. Construction ran from 1921 to 1972.

The foundation stone was laid in August 1921 after construction began in May 1920, with work progressing throughout the decade. The crypt opened in March 1929 and marked a major milestone in completing the structure.

The cathedral is dedicated to Our Lady Mother of God, the patroness chosen in 1773 when the parish was renamed from São Francisco. The interior mosaics and the golden altarpiece behind the crucifix show the decorative program of the 20th-century rebuilding. The crypt, inaugurated in 1929, held all religious services for about twenty years while the nave was still unfinished.

The building is located in downtown Porto Alegre and is easy to reach, with regular mass services offered throughout the week for visitors. It is advisable to check opening times in advance, as these may vary depending on religious celebrations and events.

The complex was recognized along with the adjacent Metropolitan Curia building by Porto Alegre's municipality as protected cultural heritage in 2009. This dual designation highlights the importance of these two connected structures to the city's religious and cultural legacy.