Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Praça XV
Praça XV was the first area to develop when the Minas Gerais gold rush in
the 18th century transformed Rio from a scruffy port town into a wealthy city.
The square became a trading center for imported goods, and trade still takes
place here in the ramshackle market next to Rua 1 de Março. The historic
heart of Rio, Praça XV witnessed the arrival of Portuguese Prince Regent João
when he escaped Napoleon in 1808. It also served as the center of Brazil's
political power under the Portuguese. Today, Praça XV is dotted with historical
buildings and streets. The restoration of the Paço Imperial in the 1980s has
acted as a catalyst in bringing culture back to the city center.
Top 10 Features
1 Igreja Santa Cruz dos
Militares
2 Paço Imperial
3 Exhibition Galleries
4 Estação das Barcas
5 Palácio Tiradentes
6 Travessa do Comércio
7 Ferry Dock
8 Igreja de Nossa Senhora do
Monte do Carmo
9 Chafariz do
Mestre Valentim
0 Igreja da Ordem Terceira de
Nossa Senhora do Monte do
Carmo
! Igreja Santa Cruz
Travessa do Comércio
Avoid visiting on
weekends when the
square is empty.
Visit Travessa do
Comércio after 6pm
for an alfresco beer.
• Map X2
• Igreja Santa Cruz
dos Militares: Rua 1
de Março 36 • Paço
Imperial and Exhibition
Galleries: Praça XV
48; open 12-6pm
Tue-Sun • Palácio
Tiradentes: Rua
Primeiro de Março
s/n; open 10am-5pm
Mon-Sat, 12pm-5pm
Sun & hols; adm
US$2 • Igreja de
Nossa Senhora do
Monte do Carmo:
Rua 7 de Setembro
14; open 8am-4pm
Mon-Fri, 10am-2pm
Sat & Sun • Igreja da
Ordem Terceira de
Nossa Senhora do
Monte do Carmo:
Rua Primeiro de
Março s/n; open
8am-4pm Mon-Fri
dos Militares
This was one of Rio de
Janeiro's grandest churches
when it was built in the
17th century. After being
badly damaged in a fire
in 1923, it was skillfully
restored and still retains
a few original details
attributed to the celebrated
sculptor, Mestre Valentim,
who crea-
ted all of its
carvings.
@ Paço Imperial
This modest colonial
building (below) was built in
1743 as the seat of govern-
ment. When the
Portuguese royal family
arrived in Brazil in 1808,
a third floor
was added
and the build-
ing became
the Imperial
Palace.
# Exhibition Galleries
Today the Paço Imperial serves as a cultural center,
hosting some of Rio's best small exhibitions, many of
them devoted to the nation's history and to important
figures from Brazil's cultural life.
22
A visit to Praça XV can be combined with a visit to the Museu
Histórico Nacional See pp20-21 .
 
 
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