monument · Marituba, PA
Caixa d'água da Estrada de Ferro de Bragança
The old water tower supplied the locomotives and the workers' village of the Belém–Bragança railroad, whose local station opened in 1884. Downtown there are still railroad workers' houses and the old workshop building.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Caixa d'água da Estrada de Ferro de Bragança
The old water tower of the Estrada de Ferro de Bragança (Bragança Railroad) is the best-known symbol of Marituba's railroad past. It supplied the locomotives and also the village where the railroad workers lived. It no longer works, but it still stands on Avenida Fernando Guilhon, beside the BR-316, and has been a municipal historic landmark since 1997.
The railroad linked Belém to Bragança and ran from 1884 until the mid-1960s. In 1903, the state government moved the locomotive maintenance workshops from Belém to Marituba. A workers' village grew up around them, completed in 1907, which gave rise to the town.
Marituba preserves much of what is left of the old railroad. Besides the water tower, you can still see houses of the workers' village and the old workshop building, visible from the highway. The water tower has become a meeting point and photo spot for locals and visitors.
The visit is quick and done from the outside, on the sidewalk, amid the bustle of downtown. It combines well with a stroll through the nearby streets to look for the village's old houses.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
About 15 minutes to see the water tower; half an hour if you include a stroll past the houses and the old workshop building.
Best time
In the morning, when it is less hot, preferably in the less rainy season, when afternoon rain is less of a problem.
How to get there
It is in downtown Marituba, on Avenida Fernando Guilhon, beside the BR-316, in Greater Belém. You get there by car or metropolitan bus along the highway from Belém.
Tip
Traffic on the BR-316 is heavy: take photos from the sidewalk and cross only at crosswalks and footbridges.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Caixa d'água da Estrada de Ferro de Bragança
What was the Marituba water tower used for?
It supplied water to the locomotives of the Bragança Railroad and to the village where the railroad workers lived.
Is there a fee to see the water tower?
No. It stands outdoors, beside the BR-316, and you view it from the sidewalk.
Where is the railroad water tower?
In downtown Marituba, beside the BR-316, in Greater Belém. You can get there by car or metropolitan bus from Belém.
How long does the visit take?
About 15 minutes. With a stroll past the houses of the old workers' village and the workshop building, about half an hour.
What else remains of the railroad in Marituba?
Houses of the old workers' village and the building of the old locomotive maintenance workshops, visible from the BR-316.