Júlio de Castilhos Museum

Júlio de Castilhos Museum
Júlio de Castilhos Museum
LocationPorto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Coordinates30°02′01″S 51°13′45″W / 30.0336°S 51.2292°W / -30.0336; -51.2292
TypeLocal museum
Collection size10,000+ pieces
Websitemuseujuliodecastilhos.rs.gov.br

Júlio de Castilhos Museum (Portuguese: Museu Júlio de Castilhos) is a museum located in the city of Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil). It is the oldest museum in Rio Grande do Sul state.

Collection

Its collection, over 10 thousand pieces, is Brazilian national heritage, and comprises objects of historical, artistic, ethnographic and archaeological character, mostly related to the history of Rio Grande do Sul. Its sections for the Ragamuffin War and the Paraguayan War are specially rich. The museum also preserves a few but very important examples of sculptures produced within Indian Reductions by Jesuits and indigenous peoples.

In September 2023, a flood damaged a number of the museum's collections. 150 works were restored in the following year.[1]

Historic district controversy

In 2025, a court suspended the planned construction of a 40-story building next to the museum, citing that it would likely damage the building.[2][3] In response, mayor Sebastião Melo signed a decree to the Law for the Rehabilitation of the Historic Center, updating the regulation. In July 2025, the Association of Friends of the Julio de Castilhos Museum has proposed a lawsuit against the city of Porto Alegre to prevent the building's construction.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Mais de 150 obras foram restauradas no Museu de História Julio de Castilhos" [More than 150 works have been restored at the Julio de Castilhos History Museum.]. cultura.rs.gov.br. December 18, 2024.
  2. ^ "Justiça mantém suspensão de construção ao lado do Museu Julio de Castilhos: 'risco de dano é evidente' - Sul 21". sul21.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). April 11, 2025. Archived from the original on 2025-04-11. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  3. ^ "Tribunal mantém proibição de construir prédio com cerca de 40 andares ao lado do Museu Julio de Castilhos". GZH (in Portuguese). 2025-04-12. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  4. ^ Gomes, Luis (July 22, 2025). "Associação processa Prefeitura por omitir Museu Julio de Castilhos em decreto sobre alturas máximas no Centro" [Association sues City Hall for omitting Julio de Castilhos Museum in decree on maximum heights in the city center.]. Sul 21.