So this is how the original one percent lived back in the day! Given the weather in Rio, where we were staying, it's easy to understand why this was the Emperor's favorite palace.
Nice summer house of the former Brazilian Emperor Pedro II and his wife Teresa. All adorned in rose and surrounded by a gracious garden. This small palace is the must to see in Petropolis.
This is a must see in Petropolis. It has been kept in stellar condition. A visit to this museum a lone will give you a brief course in Brazilian history. The night water show is also great, if available.
I say slide as this is all you can do with the slippers you are expected to put over your outdoor shoes. Also be aware cameras are left at the secure area on entry. This turns out to be a refreshing change from having the things thrust in your face while trying to view the exhibits. Onto the museum itself and its no surprise it's so highly rated. Every detail has been accounted for. We particularly liked the cot on the second floor. One bit of advice would be to go later on in the day and avoid the large groups!
The Imperial Museum, in Petrópolis, is a must. Just like any other attraction in this old fashioned city. Everything in Petrópolis remind us of the good old times. There were no cars, just horses and carriages. The Imperial Museum shows us how the Portugal Brazilian Royal Family used to live, their clothes and costumes, their jewelry, their magnificent silverware and tableware brought from China, England and all over the world. The royal family paintings and musical instruments, their private day by day living, their interest in Arts, Music, Philosophy, Astronomy, Politics and other issues. We can still see the interesting and beautiful royal furniture with brazilian and foreign woods. Don't miss the stable. You will be surprised: the first brazilian railway Steam Engine is there, produced in Germany and brought to Brazil by Dom Pedro I, the son of Dom João VI, the first Brazilian Emperor and Portugal King in 1808.
Part of the history of the reign of King Pedro II is contained in this museum. Before the emperor's residence, there are many works and details of the time customs as too broad and too structured imposing and with many meanings. Part of the history of Brasil is contained in the collection of this museum.
I was disappointed when I had to place my camera in a locker at the entrance, but I was very glad to be able to see the Imperial Museum and to learn some great history from our private tour guide, Vicente (Rio Alternative Tours!) We did have to put the flat slippers on over our shoes before we were able to walk around, but they weren't too hard to navigate and I understand that it is to protect the floor. One thing I found very interesting was the respect that both our private tour guides had for the former emperors and their families. Dom Pedro II was obviously greatly admired and respected. His daughter Isabelle was the one whose signature put an end to slavery in Brazil. While much of the furniture was not that of the imperial family itself, the pieces are similar to those that would have been there. The garden in front of the former summer palace looked beautiful, but unfortunately we weren't able to see much of it because of limited time and the heavy fog on the day we visited. I would highly recommend a visit here if you would like to learn about the very interesting history of Brazil.
This is a self guided tour through the private summer living quarters of Pedro II, the great emperor of Brazil. Besides the crown jewels, there are paintings but also the cradles of the emperors, the bedrooms, bathrooms, guest rooms, study, music rooms, etc. Also don't forget to see the magnificently restored state carriage and other ways of how nobility was carried around. The grounds are beautiful, too. But if your Portuguese isn't excellent, skip the evening show projected on water spray. The little restaurant/cafe on the grounds is very good for lunch!
This Museum is located in Petropolis, a lovely small town an hour by bus outside of Rio. It is the former Imperial Palace of the Portuguese and Brazilian Royalty. It includes items illustrating the entire history of the royalty of Brazil, in one gorgeous location! You are offered slippers, so as not to injure the delicate hardwood floors. On two delightful stories, you can see the portraits, the furniture in authentic rooms, the implements used, and, indeed, a copy of the jeweled crown of the early royalty of this country. You learn about the history of Brazil, during the century when Spain, Portugal, England, and Brazil were all in political negotiations over this land. You see, as the crowning final paper, the actual declaration of independence for the slaves of Brazil! The setting is a verdant park, with available restrooms. This is a museum not to be missed, even if you have no interest in history and just like beauty!
The Imperial Palace is a very manageable visit, with lots of history and artifacts not only about the beginnings of Petropolis, but of Brazil as a whole. The architecture rivals that of other royal European summer houses.