Fodor's Expert Review Memorial do Rio Grande do Sul
Porto Alegre
Built to house the post-office headquarters at the turn of the 20th century, this building was declared a national architectural landmark in 1981. It now houses a state museum. Although the overall style is neoclassical, German baroque influences are strong; the asymmetrical corner towers with their bronze rotundas are said to resemble Prussian army helmets. A permanent exhibit focuses on the state's history and the lives of important gaúchos, and the second floor houses one of the country's largest collections of documents and manuscripts about Brazilian society.
