| Rio Grande do Sul Memorial | |
| Native Name: | Memorial do Rio Grande do Sul |
| Former Names: | Old Correios e Telégrafos Building Old Correios Building |
| Location: | 1020 Sete de Setembro Street, Historic Center Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, |
| Coordinates: | -30.0292°N -51.2303°W |
| Start Date: | September 30, 1910 |
| Stop Date: | December 31, 1913 |
| Architect: | Theo Wiederspahn |
| Map Type: | Brazil |
| Architectural Style: | Eclecticism |
| Website: | https://cultura.rs.gov.br/memorial-rs |
The Rio Grande do Sul Memorial (English: Memorial do Rio Grande do Sul) is a cultural center in Porto Alegre, housed in a historic property located in Alfândega Square, in the city's historic center. It is a building listed as historical heritage by the City Hall and by the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage.[1] [2] [3]
The Memorial was created as the result of a project that sought to preserve the culture and memory of Rio Grande do Sul. The idea materialized in September 1996, through an agreement between the federal and state governments. The deal to transfer the building, formerly the central agency of the Correios e Telégrafos of Porto Alegre, also included the creation of a Postal Museum and a Philatelic Agency, in order to protect its original functions.[4]
A large information and dissemination center for the state's history was organized, providing the public with a rich collection of objects, maps, engravings, photos, books and important testimonies about the most important events in Rio Grande do Sul. In order to display this material, a modern museography was designed to facilitate its integration with the public and its easy assimilation.
With the support of the National Association for the Dissemination of the Political History and Culture of Rio Grande do Sul, the Rio Grande do Sul State Department of Culture and Banrisul, the Memorial organizes, in addition to its permanent exhibitions, several projects designed to bring the institution closer to all those interested in the culture of Rio Grande do Sul. The main ones are:
The old Correios e Telégrafos building, or old Correios Building, is one of the most beautiful and important historic properties in Porto Alegre. Construction began on September 30, 1910, and was completed on December 31, 1913, with Rudolph Ahrons as engineer and Theodor Wiederspahn as architect. The decoration was carried out by João Vicente Friedrichs' workshop, with the participation of Jesús Maria Corona, Franz Radermacher, Wenzel Folberger and Victorio Livi. Ahrons' company was chosen for its recognized competence, but also as a way of bringing the Positivist government closer to the state's German community.
The building adopts an eclectic style with a strong German Baroque influence, and has a dynamic facade with a prominent portico, a large clock tower on the left and metal domes at the corners. It also features profuse ornamentation in floral and abstract patterns, and some sculptures, including the Atlas group above the pediment, flanked by images representing Europe and America. Other groups complement the ornamentation on the facade.
Listed as historical heritage in 1980, the complex, which covers an area of 3,600m², underwent a complete restoration process in 1998 with the goal of restoring its original features and making it suitable for the installation of the Rio Grande do Sul Memorial. The 3,500m² of facades received special treatment; internally, the areas destined for the Historical Archives of Rio Grande do Sul and the Treasury Rooms were equipped with air conditioning. The internal courtyards received skylights and elevators to allow for greater integration with the other areas, and the terrace was freed from later unnecessary additions.[5]