Monumento Solarius, Modern sculpture in Santa Maria, Brazil

Monumento Solarius is a sixteen-metre steel sculpture by the French artist Ange Falchi, standing on the east side of the BR-040 in Santa Maria. Painted pale blue with rust-coloured seams, it is built from intersecting curved and angular metal forms: a slender horn-like curve sweeps up and out, triangular spikes jut from a vertical column, and a loop with a circular cutout sits above a long tapered form. It rests on two angular legs.

This sculpture was presented to Brazil as a gift from the French government in 1967. The monument arrived during a period of rapid urban growth and modernization across the country.

Local residents call this sculpture 'Chifrudo', a nickname rooted in Brazilian humor and the playful way communities relate to public art in their surroundings. The name has become part of how people in the region identify and talk about this landmark.

The sculpture sits directly alongside the BR-040 highway and is easily visible from the road. It is best accessed on foot during a travel pause, particularly when traffic moves more slowly through the area.

The metal structure shows signs of corrosion and weather damage from the tropical climate, creating an appearance shaped by natural forces. Despite this wear, the artwork attracts frequent photographs from travelers who are drawn to its unusual form and roadside location.