Petrópolis

Brazil

Petrópolis is a city in Rio de Janeiro (state). It is also known as The Imperial City of Brazil.

In the 1830s, the area of modern day Petrópolis was little more than farmland. When Emperor Dom Pedro I went through there on his way to Minas Gerais, he was struck by the scenery and decided to buy some land. Dom Pedro I returned to Portugal soon after and the land was passed to his son, Dom Pedro II, who built a summer retreat. Soon a palace was built along with mansions and a cathedral, giving its nickname, "The Imperial City".

Nestled among the forested hills of the Serra dos Órgãos, in the valley of the Quitandinha and Piabanha rivers, Petrópolis is a popular summer holiday spot. Besides the climate and surroundings, the main attraction is the former Summer Palace of the Brazilian Emperors, which is now a museum, specializing in Imperial history and memorabilia.

Petrópolis is home to the National Laboratory for Scientific Computing (LNCC), a research unit of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Brazilian Federal Government.

The Museu Imperial. Catedral de São Pedro de Alcântara in Petrópolis.

  • Imperial Museum of Brazil, Rua da Imperatriz, 220, +55 24 2245-5550. 11am-6pm Tue-Sun. One of the cities highlights. The weekend house of Dom Pedro II and his wife, Dona Teresa. The well preserved building has a collection of royal exhibits as well as a 1.7kg diamond and pearl studded crown. Adults R$8, Students R$4.
  • Cathedral of St. Peter of Alcantara, Rua São Pedro de Alcântara, 60, +55 24 2242-4300. 8am-Noon & 2-6pm Tue-Sun. Housing the tombs of Dom Pedro II, Dona Teresa and their daughter Princesa Isabel, this is a fine cathedral that has great views from its steps. Free.
  • Palácio de Cristal, Rua Alfredo Pachá, +55 24 2247-3721. 9am-5:30pm Tue-Sun. A greenhouse built for Princesa Isabela in France and brought to Brazil in 1884. Free entrance.
  • Quitandinha Palace, Av. Joaquim Rolla. A historic former luxury resort hotel, second only to the Copacabana Palace in Rio. However it closed in 1962 and was turned into private condominiums. The lavish surrounding gardens are open to the public.
  • Rio Negro Palace, Avenida Koeller, 255, +55 24 2246-2423. One of the official residences of the President of Brazil, although mostly used as a country retreat.
  • A Encantada, Rua do Encanto, 22, +55 24 2247 5222. Tu-Su from 9h to 17h30 (ticket until 17h). Nicknamed "The Enchanted", this house was the summer residence of Alberto Santos Dumont, the Brazilian aviation pioneer. He designed the house himself; nowadays it's a museum showing his objects, books, letters and furniture, as well as some famous domestic inventions of his: an alcohol-fueled hot shower, and an entrance staircase with paddle-shaped steps, which can only be used starting with the right foot. There's also the Centro Cultural 14a, attached to the house, where you can watch a short film about Santos Dumont. The space has tactile models and accessibility for visitors with special needs. R $ 8.00 (full price) / R $ 4.00 (half price)..
  • Cervejaria Bohemia, Rua Alfredo Pachá, 166. wed-fri, 11AM-06PM, sat-sun 11AM-08PM. The brewery of the popular Bohemia beer, built in neoclassic style in 1853, is a national heritage. It can be visited by those interested in the beer making process and in beer history. Tickets are sold up to two hours before the closing time; they can also be bought in the website. R$ 9,50 to R$ 19,50.

Imperial Museum of Brazil, Rua da Imperatriz, 220, +55 24 2245-5550. 11am-6pm Tue-Sun. One of the cities highlights. The weekend house of Dom Pedro II and his wife, Dona Teresa. The well preserved building has a collection of royal exhibits as well as a 1.7kg diamond and pearl studded crown. Adults R$8, Students R$4.

Cathedral of St. Peter of Alcantara, Rua São Pedro de Alcântara, 60, +55 24 2242-4300. 8am-Noon & 2-6pm Tue-Sun. Housing the tombs of Dom Pedro II, Dona Teresa and their daughter Princesa Isabel, this is a fine cathedral that has great views from its steps. Free.

Palácio de Cristal, Rua Alfredo Pachá, +55 24 2247-3721. 9am-5:30pm Tue-Sun. A greenhouse built for Princesa Isabela in [[France]] and brought to Brazil in 1884. Free entrance.

Quitandinha Palace, Av. Joaquim Rolla. A historic former luxury resort hotel, second only to the Copacabana Palace in Rio. However it closed in 1962 and was turned into private condominiums. The lavish surrounding gardens are open to the public.

Rio Negro Palace, Avenida Koeller, 255, +55 24 2246-2423. One of the official residences of the President of Brazil, although mostly used as a country retreat.

A Encantada, Rua do Encanto, 22, +55 24 2247 5222. Tu-Su from 9h to 17h30 (ticket until 17h). Nicknamed "The Enchanted", this house was the summer residence of Alberto Santos Dumont, the Brazilian aviation pioneer. He designed the house himself; nowadays it's a museum showing his objects, books, letters and furniture, as well as some famous domestic inventions of his: an alcohol-fueled hot shower, and an entrance staircase with paddle-shaped steps, which can only be used starting with the right foot. There's also the Centro Cultural 14a, attached to the house, where you can watch a short film about Santos Dumont. The space has tactile models and accessibility for visitors with special needs. R $ 8.00 (full price) / R $ 4.00 (half price)..

Cervejaria Bohemia, Rua Alfredo Pachá, 166. wed-fri, 11AM-06PM, sat-sun 11AM-08PM. The brewery of the popular Bohemia beer, built in neoclassic style in 1853, is a national heritage. It can be visited by those interested in the beer making process and in beer history. Tickets are sold up to two hours before the closing time; they can also be bought in the website. R$ 9,50 to R$ 19,50.

  • Rios Brasileiros Rafting, Room 104, Rua Silva Jardim 514, +55 24 2243-4372. This company organizes rafting and hiking trip around the area. They have English and Portuguese speaking guides.
  • Trekking Petrópolis, +55 24 2235-7607. This company organises hikes, mountain biking and other activities in the Mata Atlântica rainforest.

Rios Brasileiros Rafting, Room 104, Rua Silva Jardim 514, +55 24 2243-4372. This company organizes rafting and hiking trip around the area. They have English and Portuguese speaking guides.

Trekking Petrópolis, +55 24 2235-7607. This company organises hikes, mountain biking and other activities in the Mata Atlântica rainforest.

Like most towns and cities in Brazil, anything that you could want to buy would most likely in the main street Rua do Imperador. However if its clothes you're after you can't go wrong with Rua Teresa. This street has more clothes stores than you need as well as a few good places to eat. Here are some good choices.

  • Taco Roupa, Rua 16 de Março 364 e 366 Centro, 25655, +55 24 2242-8785. A chain of clothing stores throughout Brazil.
  • Sendas, Rua General Rondon, 1015 - Quitandinha, +55 24 2245-5556. A food and drink supermarket where you can pick up a whole heap of Brazilian food and drink.

Taco Roupa, Rua 16 de Março 364 e 366 Centro, 25655, +55 24 2242-8785. A chain of clothing stores throughout Brazil.

Sendas, Rua General Rondon, 1015 - Quitandinha, +55 24 2245-5556. A food and drink supermarket where you can pick up a whole heap of Brazilian food and drink.

  • Majórica Churrascaria, Rua do Imperador, 754, +55 24 2242-2498. Noon-10pm Tue-Sun. A great Churrascaria not far from the Meseu Imperial. R$24-44.
  • Bistrô Petit Palais, Av Imperatriz, 220 (Within the Museu Imperial complex, +55 24 2237-8000. Noon-7pm Tue-Sun. A nice little bistro serving pastries and some hot dishes. From R$16.
  • Las Delicias, Rua Gonçalves Dias, 423, +55 24 2231-6033. This is a good Brazilian style buffet. Good for a quick cheap bite of local Brazilian foods. Less than R$20.
  • Locanda della Mimosa, Alameda das Mimosas 30, Vale Florida, +55 24 2233-5405. 12:30-3:30pm Sat & Sun, 8-11:30pm Fri & Sat. This place may be expensive but the exotic foods are impressive. Reservations are highly recommended. 3-course dinner R$120.

Majórica Churrascaria, Rua do Imperador, 754, +55 24 2242-2498. Noon-10pm Tue-Sun. A great Churrascaria not far from the Meseu Imperial. R$24-44.

Bistrô Petit Palais, Av Imperatriz, 220 (Within the Museu Imperial complex, +55 24 2237-8000. Noon-7pm Tue-Sun. A nice little bistro serving pastries and some hot dishes. From R$16.

Las Delicias, Rua Gonçalves Dias, 423, +55 24 2231-6033. This is a good Brazilian style buffet. Good for a quick cheap bite of local Brazilian foods. Less than R$20.

Locanda della Mimosa, Alameda das Mimosas 30, Vale Florida, +55 24 2233-5405. 12:30-3:30pm Sat & Sun, 8-11:30pm Fri & Sat. This place may be expensive but the exotic foods are impressive. Reservations are highly recommended. 3-course dinner R$120.

Drinking is pretty thin in Petrópolis but there are a few good chopperias on Rua do Imperador. Petropolis' most famous native beer is the Bohemia (1853), which became nationwide popular after 1960, when its brewery was acquired by Antarctica (now AmBev).

  • CompuLand, Rua 16 de Março 326, Centro. 9am-7pm Mon-Sat & 9am-6pm Sun. This centrally located internet café has high speed internet. R$2/hr.

CompuLand, Rua 16 de Março 326, Centro. 9am-7pm Mon-Sat & 9am-6pm Sun. This centrally located internet café has high speed internet. R$2/hr.