The Monument to General Osório is a public monument located in the Praça da Alfândega, in the center of Porto Alegre, Brazil. It was erected in honor of Manuel Luís Osório, patron of the Brazilian Army's Cavalry and a hero of the Paraguayan War.
The decision to build the monument was made in 1929, with a public competition held to select the design. The judging panel was led by General Cipriano da Costa Ferreira. Initially, the competition called for a pedestrian statue, but the rules were later changed and the prize increased, allowing for a more ambitious plan. The winning design was submitted by the sculptor Hildegardo Leão Veloso from Rio de Janeiro.
The statue was cast in Rio de Janeiro, and the monument was inaugurated with great celebration on August 7, 1933, in the presence of various dignitaries and family members of the honoree. In 1966, a strong windstorm toppled the statue, causing significant damage. After being restored, it was returned to its original position.
The monument features a large granite base surrounded by a reflecting pool, with an equestrian statue of General Osório atop it. Inscriptions on the sides of the base include quotes attributed to him: "The happiest day of my life would be the one when I received the news that civilized nations were celebrating their fraternity by burning their arsenals," and "Soldiers! It is easy to command free men: just show them the path of duty!"
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edit- ALVES, JOSÉ FRANCISCO. A Escultura Pública de Porto Alegre - História, Contexto e Significado. Porto Alegre: Artfolio, 2004. pp. 61-62.
