Paço Imperial

The Paço Imperial (Imperial Palace) is the white colonial mansion on Praça XV de Novembro, in downtown Rio. Built in the 18th century as the governors’ residence, it was the seat of power of the viceroys, of King João VI and of the emperors of Brazil. It is considered the most important colonial civil building in the country, according to Wikipedia. Today it is a cultural center.

Governors, viceroys and a king

In 1733, Governor Gomes Freire de Andrade asked the King of Portugal for permission to build a government house in Rio. It was designed by military engineer José Fernandes Pinto Alpoim, and the Governors’ House opened in 1743, on the old Largo do Carmo, now Praça XV.

In 1763, when the colonial capital moved from Salvador to Rio, the building became the Viceroys’ Palace. In 1808, with the arrival of the Portuguese royal family, it became the Royal Palace, where Prince Regent João conducted official business. The building gained an extra floor, a Throne Room and a passage to the neighboring Carmo Convent, according to Wikipedia.

Dia do Fico and the Golden Law

After Independence, the building was renamed Paço Imperial. Two landmark moments in Brazilian history took place there, according to Wikipedia:

• January 9, 1822: Pedro I announced that he would not return to Portugal, the episode known as the Dia do Fico (“I’m Staying” Day).
• May 13, 1888: Princess Isabel signed the Golden Law (Lei Áurea), which abolished slavery in Brazil.

Post office, listing and restoration

With the Proclamation of the Republic in 1889, the Paço became the central Post and Telegraph office. The building was heritage-listed in 1938, and in 1982 Iphan restored it to its 1818 appearance, according to Wikipedia.

The cultural center

Today the Paço hosts exhibitions of painting, photography, sculpture, film and music. It also has the Paulo Santos Library, of art and architecture, a bookshop and a restaurant, according to Wikipedia.

Nearby

• Ilha Fiscal, the little castle in the bay, visible from the waterfront.
• The Banco do Brasil Cultural Center, a few blocks away.
• São Bento Monastery and Praça Mauá, following the waterfront along the Olympic Boulevard.

The VLT Carioca light rail has lines through Praça XV, according to VLT Carioca: see getting around Rio. For a full day in the area, follow historic downtown on foot.