IMPERIAL MUSEUM OF BRAZIL

Description

Essentials about the Imperial Museum of Brazil in brief

For die-hard royalists, a trip to Petrópolis, about 70 kilometers north of Rio de Janeiro, is recommended. There you will find the beautiful former palace of Dom Pedro II, Emperor of Brazil, which today houses the Museu Imperial (Imperial Museum).

The building of the Imperial Museum of Brazil

More precisely, the museum is located in the summer residence of Emperor Pedro II, a neoclassical palace built between 1845 and 1862. A good century later, in 1940, the Imperial Museum moved in, which today shows the history of the Brazilian Empire in 14 magnificent halls.

The exhibition of the Imperial Museum of Brazil

The Imperial Museum’s exhibition consists of a variety of objects belonging to the imperial family, including pieces of furniture, documents, works of art, musical instruments and personal belongings. In addition to the sumptuous furnishings, the architecture of the palace itself is a feast for the eyes. The foyer is made of Carrara marble from Italy and black marble from Belgium, and the windows were made of precious cedar, rosewood and mahogany.

The highlight of the Imperial Museum’s exhibition is certainly the Brazilian crown jewels, including the former imperial crown. With its 77 pearls and 600 diamonds, it is one of the most precious pieces of jewelry in the world. The two other insignia of the Brazilian Empire, the scepter and the imperial mantle, can also be admired in the museum.

Another historically valuable exhibit of the Imperial Museum is the so-called “Golden Fountain Pen”. It was used to sign the Lei Áurea (Golden Law) in 1888, which abolished slavery in Brazil.

The gardens of the Imperial Museum of Brazil

Those who need a little rest after so much gold and pomp will find it in the beautiful extensive gardens of the Imperial Museum. It was designed by the French landscape architect Jean-Baptiste Binot. Over 100 species of trees and shrubs from various regions of the world (including Argentina, Australia, China, Ecuador, India, Japan, Madagascar and Mexico) thrive here. Well-maintained paths lead through the lush vegetation, where ornate statues of mythological figures and babbling fountains harmoniously complement the flora.

The library of the Imperial Museum of Brazil

In addition to the premises and the garden, the Imperial Museum also owns an important library and a valuable historical archive. The library consists of more than 50,000 books, essentially on art and history of the Brazilian imperial period. The archive houses a collection of more than 250,000 original documents dating back to the 13th century. Of particular interest is the collection of photographs on the development of the Rio de Janeiro region. Incidentally, anyone who wants to take a look at the archive can do so online.