Palácio de Ferro, Luanda

The Palácio de Ferro, or Iron Palace, in Luanda is an ornate prefabricated metal building of the late nineteenth century, its elegant balconies and detailing sometimes attributed to the workshop of Gustave Eiffel. Shipped in sections and assembled in the colonial capital, its origins and intended use remain partly mysterious. Restored in recent years, the yellow iron structure now serves as a cultural centre and diamond exhibition space in the historic quarter.