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Museu do Divino
The municipal Museu do Divino exhibits the masks and costumes used during the Festo do Divino Espírito Santo. These masks were made by local craftsmen using methods passed down from generation to generation.
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Museu das Cavalhadas
The privately owned Museu das Cavalhadas is cluttered with bright and colorful artifacts brought to life in a guided tour from the owner. The sign says to ring the doorbell if the museum appears to be closed.
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Hotel Globo
Built in 1928 the old Hotel Globo houses a small museum and has a lovely rear terrace with views over tile roofs to the river. It was under a R$785 million restoration when we visited, scheduled to re-open by end of 2016.
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Museu Nacional
A spherical half-dome by architect Oscar Niemeyer, the inside features a discreet mezzanine mostly held up by columns suspended from the roof. A signature curved ramp juts out from its base and runs around the outside like a ring of Saturn.
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TV Tower
The 75m-high observation deck of the TV Tower gives a decent overview of the city, but it’s still not quite tall enough to really get a sense of the city’s airplane design. The mezzanine houses a charming cafe run by a farming cooperative.
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Catedral Metropolitana
You’ll hear the hourly ringing of bells in the Catedral Metropolitana, which sits grandly at the high end of the square.
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Memorial Minas Gerais – Vale
The best element of Praça da Liberdade’s 2010 makeover, this supremely cool contemporary museum chronicles Minas culture from the 17th to 21st centuries via three floors of cutting-edge interactive galleries and audiovisual installations.
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Pinacoteca do Estado
This elegant neoclassical museum houses an excellent collection of Brazilian – and especially Paulista – art from the 19th century to the present, including works by big names such as Portinari and Di Cavalcanti. There is a lovely cafe that faces adjacent Parque da Luz.
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Escadaria Selarón
One of Rios best loved attractions, the steps leading up from Rua Joaquim Silva became a work of art when Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón decided to cover the steps with colorful mosaics. A dedication to the Brazilian people, the 215 steps are a vivid riot of color.
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Palácio do Itamaraty
Palácio do Itamaraty is home to the Foreign Ministry and one of the most impressive buildings – a series of arches towering over a reflecting pool and floating gardens landscaped by Burle Marx. Outside, the Bruno Giorgi sculpture Meteor consists of five marble blocks, each represen
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Museu Afro
This hugely important, absolutely fascinating Parque do Ibirapuera museum features a permanent 3rd-floor collection chronicling five centuries of African immigration (and a nod to the 10 million African lives lost in the construction of Brazil) and hosts a rotating array of contemp
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Mercado Municipal
Built by the army in 1835, this public market is a popular community gathering place on Friday evenings, when there’s live music, and on Saturday mornings for the weekly food and craft market. The building’s wooden arches inspired Niemeyer’s design for the presidential palace in Br
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Theatro Municipal
São Paulo’s most splendid construction, this theater was begun in 1903 in the style of Paris’ Palais Garnier. Its heavily ornamented facade seems to combine every architectural style imaginable, from baroque to art nouveau, and its interior is clad in gold and marble. Free English
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Museu Náutico da Bahia
In addition to having superb views, the Forte de Santo Antônio da Barra contains this excellent nautical museum, with relics and displays from the days of Portuguese seafaring, plus fascinating exhibits on the slave trade. All information is offered in both Portuguese and English –
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Igreja de São Francisco de Assis
This exquisite church is Brazils most important piece of colonial art, after Aleijadinho’s masterpiece The Prophets in Congonhas. Its entire exterior was carved by Aleijadinho himself, from the soapstone medallion to the cannon waterspouts to the Franciscan two-bar cross. The inter
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Museu Imperial
Petrópolis’ top draw is this impeccably preserved 19th-century palace. Felt slippers provided at the entrance help protect the fine wood floors – great fun to slide around in! Displays include the 1.95kg imperial crown, with its 639 diamonds and 77 pearls, and the ruby-encrusted, f
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Paço do Frevo
This new, strikingly-red museum is a small and modern house of worship for frevo, the quintessential dance of the Recife Carnaval. It hosts exhibits, performances and classes of frevo, and highlights include a permanent top-floor exhibit that features giant Carnival insignias from
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Igreja Matriz de Santo Antônio
Named for Tiradentes patron saint, this gorgeous church is one of Aleijadinhos last designs. The dazzling gold interior is rich in Old Testament symbolism. Noteworthy elements include the polychrome organ, built in Portugal and brought here by donkey in 1798, and the seven golden p
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Museu das Bandeiras
The fascinating Museu das Bandeiras is an old jail (1766–1950) that’s full of interesting antiques and original furniture – the 1.5m-thick cell walls, originally made of weak taipa de pilão wood and reinforced with much stronger aroeira (pepper-tree) wood, are a museum piece in the
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Estação das Docas
An ambitious renovation project converted three down-at-heel riverfront warehouses into a popular gathering spot, with restaurants, bars, shops and even an art-house theater. There are nice river views and displays about Beléms history, plus a post office and numerous ATMs. Enjoy l
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