Brazil - Porto Alegre

The land of gaúcho. Here I am, in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Porto Alegre is the capital and the largest city of the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. It was founded by Portuguese in 1769 but officially settled by Portuguese from the Azores in 1772. The population about 1, 480,000 inhabitants. Porto Alegre is the southernmost capital city of a Brazilian state.

Porto Alegre isn't consider a touristic place but the city well preserved colonial architecture from the 18 and 19 centuries makes the visit enjoyable. Porto Alegre mostly used as a transit point for those who continue towards Argentina. Bus from Porto Alegre to Argentina takes 36 hours. According to locals, tourists need to be very careful on the streets of Porto Alegre, as apparently, Porto Alegre ranked 43rd among the world's 50 most violent cities. But it is lovely to stroll around the city and observe the daily life of local gaúchos. If it was not too hot it would have been much better to walk longer hours.

Redenção Park (Redemption Park) in Porto Alegre.

The Hydraulic Windmills is a historic building in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. It is located in the traditional Moinhos de Vento neighborhood right next to the hotel where I am staying at. Of architecture inspired in the Palace of Versailles ( Paris) and in its gardens, the building occupies a land of six hectares. The great hydraulic tower was deactivated in 1969 and for a long time its water tank was able to supply the large buildings of the central area of ​​Porto Alegre. From 15 of the December of 1986, the Hydraulic houses cultural center.

Carnival street party. Porto Alegre