Casa de Ferro, Iron building in KaMpfumo district, Mozambique
Casa de Ferro is a building in Maputo composed of iron plates and steel components that were imported from Belgium to this coastal city. The structure was assembled using prefabricated metal parts designed to fit together as a complete architectural unit.
The building was constructed in 1892 and was originally intended as a residence for the Portuguese colonial governor but proved unsuitable due to heat. The prefabricated metal design came from Belgian workshops as an experimental approach for tropical climates.
The structure reflects Mozambique's connection to European industrial methods of the 1800s through its all-metal design and imported components. Today it serves as office space for the Ministry of Culture, linking the colonial past with present-day government work.
The building is located in the KaMpfumo district and is accessible on weekends, allowing visitors time to examine the metal framework up close. The interior can feel warm due to the metal construction, so it is wise to dress appropriately and bring water.
Contrary to popular belief, the building was not designed by Gustave Eiffel but by Belgian engineer Albert Marie Joseph Danly. This mistaken attribution passed down for generations shows how easily historical facts can shift when one name becomes too famous.
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