Praça da Matriz Picture 5

More information on Matriz Square in Porto Alegre Photo by: lalala_

It lies in the "heart" of the city, is also known as the "square of power", because they are located decision-making centers of the executive, legislative and judicial branches and will soon also be located there the central power of the State Public Ministéio will occupy a historic building under renovation, finally, there also lies the monumental Catholic Cathedral, built in pink granite and containing one of the largest domes in the world.

During your stay in Porto Alegre in July 1820, August Saint Hilaire wrote about the wonderful vision of the city that could discern there. In fact, the landscape of Cathedral Square is one of the most unique and charming places in the world.

The first Azorean couples who came to Porto Alegre in 1752, settled in the area that now forms the tip of the Gasometer "; there, the village was growing by the lower part, near the river, the track that now forms the street Andradas (more popularly known as "Beach Street"), yet as usual, the churches were built in the highest parts of the villages, and, therefore, between 1772 and 1773, was built in an area of modern Church Cathedral, honoring Our Lady Mother of God, for this reason, the area in front became known as Church Square or Largo. At that time (late nineteenth and early twentieth century), began to be held there the feasts of the fireworks of the Spirit, which attracted the whole community to the square. Between 1846 and 1848, the plaza has improved, with sidewalks on the east and west alignments. In 1858, it was inaugurated in the northern part Theatro São Pedro. In 1865 it was renamed Praça Dom Pedro II. Between 1883 and 1885, was urbanized, with landscaping, tree planting and paving sidewalks. In 1914, his monument was inaugurated in honor of Julio de Castillos. From 1909 to 1921, the Palace was built Piratini, and in 1921 began building the present cathedral.

Since the proclamation of the Republic, its official name is Praça Marechal Deodoro, little known by people of city, who prefer the original name of "Square Matriz".

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