Museum

National Museum of Brazil

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The National Museum of Brazil, located in the Paço de São Cristóvão (former imperial palace) in Rio de Janeiro, is the country's oldest scientific institution. Founded in 1818, it once housed vast collections of natural history, anthropology, and archaeology, including the famous Luzia fossil. A devastating fire in September 2018 destroyed much of the building and its collections, but the museum remains a poignant symbol of Brazil's scientific and cultural heritage. Visitors today can view the exterior of the palace and learn about ongoing restoration efforts, while a portion of the collection that survived is displayed in temporary exhibitions.

Don't miss

  • View the historic Paço de São Cristóvão palace exterior
  • Learn about the museum's history and the 2018 fire's impact
  • See surviving artifacts in temporary exhibitions

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit National Museum of Brazil

You can visit National Museum of Brazil on your own. A guide mainly adds context, what you are looking at and why it matters, and a tour can add transport or combine nearby sights into one day.

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