Catete Palace - Museum of the Republic
Museu da República is a showcase for the history of Brazil of which it is a part
What started off as a palatial home and then turned into a hotel and then a presidential home is now the Museum of the Republic (Museu da República), housing a wealth of information and artifacts pertaining to the history of Brazil.
The museum stands on a street called Rua do Catete and is a beautiful neoclassical structure complete with a small but beautifully kept public garden. This structure has changed hands a number of times over the centuries but has not lost any of the historical artefacts housed in it and these are what you will find displayed when you visit the museum.
Construction of the building started in the year 1858 as a residence for the family of Antonio Clemente Pinto. Portuguese born Antonio Clemente Pinto was a Baron of Nova Friburgo and made his riches as a coffee grower. He hired the services of German architect Carl Friedrich Gustav Waehneldt to design the palace in the neoclassical style. The construction was officially finished in 1867 but further changes were made in renovations in 1883. This urban mansion was called, Catete Palace.
When the couple died their son sold the property in 1889 to a group of investors who had intentions to turn it into a hotel. Soon after they bought the palace they went bankrupt as the economy at that time was not doing very well.
After its short stint as a hotel it became Brazil's presidential palace, housing many heads of state. The story of the last president who took up residence in the Presidential palace ended in tragedy. In a bid to avoid a military coup d'etat President Getulio Vargas committed suicide. The President killed himself by shooting himself in the heart. He was found in his bedroom which was situated on the third floor of the Palace. Should you make the trip to the Palace you will find that the room in which the President committed suicide left in the same state it was on that day. His pyjamas were replaced and the clock was stopped at the moment he took his life. It may seem eerie to some, but for those who loved this President and who appreciate his efforts in leading Brazil, it is a place of homage.
Going to the Museum of the Republic (Museu da República) is definitely worth the visit especially for those interested in the political history of Brazil.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes - Half price on Wednesdays and SundaysMuseu da República Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Thursday: 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Friday: 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Address: R. do Catete, 153 - Catete, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22220-000, Brazil
Official Website: Museu da República
Museu da República Reviews
Rated out of 5
Worth a visit as that palace has a long history first built as a mansion by a wealthy businessman and later serving for several decades as the Brazilian presidential palace. As a shareholder of Petrobras I found it very interesting to learn that Brazil's president Getulio Vargas who helped to create the state oil company Petrobras ended up committing suicide in that very palace reportedly partly because of political pressure from the global "seven sisters" oil companies who were opposed to Brazil's state owned oil company Petrobras
Yves B - a month ago
Wow!!! I walked past this place every day on my way to the shops, the metro etc but noticed only the scaffolding, the rubbish and the graffiti so I didnt go in - in fact, it didnt even look open and certainly wasn't inviting. Only because I had to get out of the heat today did I venture over the doorstep and WOW - what a remarkable place. Both the palace and the gardens, and all the other exhibitions are outstanding! Please do not make the same mistake as me, do NOT miss out on this remarkable place.
Brian Powrie - 3 months ago
What a wonderful free piece of history!
Pro:
- free
- multiples expositions
- garden, modern art, main palace
- haunted (so they say)
- blood soaked pijamas!
- incredible entry way
Con:
- nothing
100% worth visiting if in rio
Brian “CoFii” Adams - 6 months ago
Very beautiful historical site to visit. Amazing architecture of the era. A hidden gem in Rio.
Jiong CHEN - 6 months ago
The museum is free and quite small,you can finish in about 20 minutes. Around it, there are nice coffee shops and a park to enjoy.
Sam Senoglu - 7 months ago
Directions
| Metro Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Line 1 - Orange or Line 2 - Green | Catete |
How to get to Museu da República by Metro
Museum of the Republic is located directly across the road to the east from Catete Station
Map & Instant Route Finder
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Accommodations near Museu da República:
Photo Gallery
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Opulent interior of Catete Palace cc licensed photo by A C Moraes -
Staircase and stained glass skylight inside the museum cc licensed photo by A C Moraes -
Beautiful grounds behind Museu da República cc licensed photo by A C Moraes
