Santana do Livramento, Border municipality in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Santana do Livramento is a municipality in Rio Grande do Sul that sits directly on Brazil's border with Uruguay. The urban area flows seamlessly into Rivera across the border, creating a shared space where both sides function as a single community.
The settlement was founded in 1823 when Portuguese colonists received land grants and established a community. A railway line opened in 1912 that connected this side to Uruguay, allowing train travel between Rio de Janeiro and Montevideo for many decades.
The town draws on both Brazilian and Uruguayan customs visible in everyday life, from street festivals to local architecture and how residents move freely between the two sides. This blending shapes the rhythm of daily activity throughout the year.
Good road connections link the town to major Brazilian cities, with an international airport just across the border in Rivera available since 2023. Visitors can move easily between both sides on foot or by car, as border crossing is straightforward for most travelers.
A railway station from 1912 still stands in town as a reminder of when trains regularly crossed between Brazil and Uruguay. Though international service ended long ago, the building marks an era when rail travel connected the two countries directly.
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