museum · Canela, RS
Mundo a Vapor
Founded in 1991 by the Urbani brothers, it has working replicas of steam-powered machines, such as a brickworks, a quarry and power plants. The facade reproduces the 1895 accident at the Montparnasse station in Paris, when a locomotive crashed through the wall.
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 Mundo a Vapor
Mundo a Vapor is a theme park in Canela dedicated to steam machines. It was opened in 1991 by the Urbani brothers, sons of Ernesto Urbani, who ran a steam machine repair shop in town. The brothers spent years building miniatures of these machines, and they became the heart of the park.
The facade is the most famous photo of the place: a locomotive that crashes through the building's wall and hangs out over the street. The scene reproduces the 1895 accident at the Montparnasse station in Paris, when a runaway train broke through the station wall.
Inside, a guided tour goes through themed rooms with miniature replicas that really work, powered by steam: a brickworks that makes tiny roof tiles, a sawmill, a foundry, a power plant and a paper mill billed as the smallest in the world. The park also has a train ride through the woods and a Ferris wheel with a view of the mountains.
It's an indoor outing that works on rainy days, and it's a big hit with families with kids and anyone who enjoys mechanics and industrial history.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
Set aside one to two hours for the guided tour, the train and the Ferris wheel.
Best time
Any time of year, and it's a good choice for a rainy day, because the main visit is indoors. On the Ferris wheel, clear days give the best view of the mountains. The park is closed on Wednesdays.
How to get there
It's on Avenida Dom Luiz Guanella, a stretch of RS-235, the road linking Gramado to Canela, on the Canela side. You can go by car, with on-site parking, by taxi or by ride-hailing app.
Tip
Take your photo of the locomotive on the facade when you arrive, before the groups gather, and check hours and tickets on the official website before you go.
Official website
A look at the place
Mundo a Vapor in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Mundo a Vapor
Is there an entrance fee for Mundo a Vapor?
Yes, there's an entrance fee, with half-price tickets and free entry for young children. Check rates on the official website.
Is Mundo a Vapor open every day?
No. The park is closed on Wednesdays. On other days, check hours on the official website.
Can I bring my dog to Mundo a Vapor?
Yes, the park allows pets, including on the train ride. Only the guided tour of the rooms doesn't allow pets.
Can I visit Mundo a Vapor on a rainy day?
Yes. The tour of the rooms is indoors and the park runs normally in the rain, including the Ferris wheel.
What's that train coming out of the wall?
It's the park's facade, which reproduces the 1895 accident at the Montparnasse station in Paris, when a locomotive crashed through the station wall.