Paço Imperial

Rio de Janeiro


The former imperial palace was originally built in 1743 as a governor's residence. Later it became the home of Dom João and his family when the Portuguese throne transferred the royal seat of power to the colony. In 1888 Princesa Isabel proclaimed the Freedom from Slavery Act from the palace's steps. The building was neglected for many years but has been restored and now hosts excellent changing exhibitions and concerts. There's also a good cafe and a restaurant here.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Rio de Janeiro attractions

1. Praça XV (Quinze) de Novembro

0.02 MILES

The first residents on this historic site were Carmelite fathers who built a convent here in 1590. It later came under the property of the Portuguese…

2. Palácio Tiradentes

0.03 MILES

The stately Tiradentes Palace houses the seat of the legislative assembly. Exhibits on the 1st and 2nd floors relate the events that have taken place here…

3. Arco de Teles

0.05 MILES

The archway leading into Travessa do Comércio was once part of an old viaduct running between two buildings.

5. Museu Naval

0.07 MILES

Chronicling the history of the Brazilian navy from the 16th century to the present, this museum also has exhibitions of model warships, maps and…

6. Travessa do Comércio

0.1 MILES

Beautiful two-story colonial town houses line this narrow cobblestone street leading off Praça XV (Quinze) de Novembro. The archway (Arco de Teles)…

7. Espaço Cultural da Marinha

0.17 MILES

Naval enthusiasts shouldn't miss this waterfront museum, a short stroll from Praça XV. It contains the Riachuelo submarine, which you can wander through,…

8. Centro Cultural Correios

0.21 MILES

In a grand edifice dating from the 1920s, this cultural center houses three spacious floors that host a creative lineup of changing exhibitions, mostly…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "brazil/rio-de-janeiro/centro-and-cinelandia/attractions/paco-imperial/a/poi-sig/395247/1327354",
      "destination": "Rio-de-Janeiro",
      "continent": "South-America",
      "country": "Brazil",
      "city": "Rio-de-Janeiro",
      "position": "superzone"
    }