CASTLES RIO GRANDE DO SUL

Château Lacave is a medieval-style fortress located in the wine region of Caxias do Sul, Brazil, designed as a replica of an 11th-century Spanish monastery. Constructed from 1968 to 1978 by Uruguayan entrepreneur Juan Carrau using native basalt stone fitted without cement, the castle features four towers and distinctive medieval architectural characteristics. The structure was acquired by the Basso family in 2001 and operated as a winery until 2012, representing an ambitious attempt to recreate Old World European architectural heritage within a Brazilian wine-producing region. Since 2021, the castle has belonged to the Famiglia Valduga winery group, which plans to develop the site as a wine tourism destination, though the castle is currently closed to visitors.

Castelinho Castelan, nestled in Flores da Cunha in Rio Grande do Sul, is a private medieval-European-inspired castle featuring a copper roof and beveled crystal windows. Often referred to as 'The Little Castle,' the structure celebrates the European heritage of the region, particularly its Italian descendant population who migrated to southern Brazil centuries ago. Though not open to visitors, the castle can be admired externally from the four streets surrounding it, offering an impressive view of its distinctive medieval-style architecture against the backdrop of Rio Grande do Sul's mountainous landscape.