Welcome to Maputo

                                                                                       


 Arts, Culture and Entertainment
Maputo hosts several interesting monuments, such as:

 • The Casa de Ferro (The Iron House), this was designed by Gustave Eiffel, of Eiffel Tower fame, in 1892. It is made up eof steel walls and roof, all bolted together and was originally intended as the Governor's house. Address: Av Samora Machel;
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The Fortaleza da Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Praça 25 de Junho). This is a well known landmark, originally built built in 1851 during the early colonial era, when Portugal was still a major sea power and which was the nucleus of the original settlement. It is recognised as one of the oldest buildings in Maputo and is of the same style as other Portuguese forts built along Mozambique’s coast. It is now a military museum. Address: Praça 25 de Junho;
• The Cathedral de Nossa Senhora da Conceição its very unique structure, completed in 1944; Address: Praça de Independência;
• The Railway Station Designed by Gustave Eiffel in 1910, the railway station is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world, with marble pillars, wrought iron work and a large central dome. The grand building is one of Maputo's most impressive structures, and is well worth a visit, even if not arriving or departing by train. This architecturally interesting monument was once the terminus of the most important railway line in Southern Africa. Address: Praça dos Trabalhadores;
• The Central Market spills out of the shabby, yet beautiful building in which it is housed and is a hub of activity selling all kinds of goods, from handicrafts, basketware and carvings, to fruit and vegetables, a variety of seafood and many household items needed for everyday use. The market is a haven for pickpockets and thieves, though, and visitors should ensure that all valuables are concealed from view. Address: Av. 25 de Setembro;
• The Praça dos Trabalhadores (Workers Square) at the bottom end of Guerra Popular you will find the Statue commemorating Mozambican soldiers who fell in the First World War. This statue is of a woman who had killed a large snake believed to have been a cobra, that had been terrorising the local population. The cobra was said to have fallen into a pot of boiling porridge that she was carrying on her head;
• The Estatua Samora Machel (Statue of Samora Machel), he was Mozambique's first President from 1975 to 1986. Address: Av. Samora Machel;
• The Louis Trichardt Trek Memorial, to the Voortrekkers Leader, Louis Trichardt and his trek who tried to find a route to the sea through Mozambique and eventually came to grief when most of the trekkers died of malaria in the then Delagoa Bay (Maputo) in 1838. Address: Av. Josina Machel;
• The Conselho Municipal (City Hall), this building houses the Mayor chambers or in colonial days the governor. It is a distinctive rather austere building in a classical style of those times. It was completed in 1945 and had the words"Aqui é Portugal" (This is Portugal) inscribed on the outside front of the building. These have subsequently been removed. Address: Av. Ho Chi Min;