Carlos Olmo
The happy port
The name - happy port - sounds like a promise and indeed, Puerto Alegre is one of the most dynamic cities in Brazil, quite different from the cosmopolitan beach destinations the country is famous for. The state of Rio Grande do Sul was colonised mainly by Italians and Germans, so people are mostly white, and the city is in many ways quite European. If you want to take a tour of the historical part of the city, I recommend visiting the Central Market, a neoclassical nineteen century building with shops of all kinds, restaurants and bars. Glênio Peres Square, next to the market, is always full of people and vendors.
I was surprised to find myself suddenly in front of a huge fountain, a gift from the Spanish, made with ceramics from Talavera de la Reina. Another thing that surprised me was a cultural center, lllamado Usina do Gasometer, installed in the headquarters building of the power plant that supplies the capital. The interior of the building has been redesigned to accommodate all kinds of cultural activities. When I went, they were rehearsing a play and a dance group was also practicing their choreography. You have to climb to the terrace, which offers fabulous views of the Rio Guaiba.
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