Description

Essentials about Catete Palace in brief

Anyone interested in Brazilian history and politics should have seen the Palácio do Catete (Catete Palace) in Rio. Located in the Catete district of the same name, the Palácio is Brazil’s former government palace, which now houses the Museu da República (Museum of the Republic). The Museum of the Republic provides information on Brazil’s history through 7,000 exhibits and 80,000 documents. The Palace also houses a library with 20,000 books, works of art, documents and furniture of former President Getúlio Vargas, and a theater.

The history of Catete Palace

Catete Palace was built by the German master builder Gustav Wähnelt as the residence of the Portuguese-Brazilian coffee baron Antonio Clemente Pinto. In 1896, the palace was purchased by the Brazilian government and used as the presidential residence in Rio de Janeiro, the capital at the time. After Rio lost its function as the country’s capital to Brasília, the palace was rebuilt and reopened as the Museu da República in 1960 by then President Juscelino Kubitschek.

Catete Palace Park

The palace also includes an extensive garden, which today serves as a popular park. Some of the sculptures and statues that in earlier times adorned the façade, forecourt and interior of Catete Palace can now be admired in the palace garden. With fountains, ponds, small caves and a music pavilion, the magnificent park of the Palácio do Catete invites visitors to stroll and linger.

Website

museudarepublica.museus.gov.br

Opening hours

Admission fees

Regular price: R$6

Address

Getting there

By public transport:

Metro lines L1, L2 and L4: Stop Catete

Bus lines 101, 104, 118, 422, 434, 497, 517, 775D, 1775D and 2012: Stop Rua do Catete próximo ao 170-172

By car:

In the immediate vicinity of the Catete Palace there are only limited parking possibilities.