Casa da Pólvora

Casa da Pólvora is a former military magazine situated on a low island facing Porto Alegre's harbor entrance. The complex contains three buildings: the ammunition storage structure, a guardhouse, and a farmhouse that together formed a small but functional military outpost.

The magazine was built in 1852 after earlier storage facilities in Porto Alegre became inadequate for safely keeping explosives. The island location provided greater security for the region's military ammunition needs and port defense operations.

The buildings reflect military construction methods from Rio Grande do Sul and sit within a protected natural reserve. Visitors can observe how the structures relate to their island setting and the river landscape around them.

The site is visible from Porto Alegre's waterfront, but the wooden pier to the island needs significant repairs before it is safe to cross. Check access conditions before planning a visit, as the structures may not always be accessible to the public.

The complex sits within a network of 16 islands formed where four rivers converge - the Gravataí, Sinos, Caí, and Jacuí. This delta setting makes the location both geographically distinctive and strategically important for understanding Porto Alegre's waterways.