museum · Palmas, TO
Memorial Coluna Prestes
Designed by Oscar Niemeyer and opened in 2001, it honors the passage of the Coluna Prestes (Prestes Column) through what is now Tocantins in the 1920s. Reopened in 2026, it has photographs, documents and personal belongings, with sculptures by Maurício Bentes outside.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Memorial Coluna Prestes
The Memorial Coluna Prestes is a museum dedicated to the Coluna Prestes (Prestes Column), the march that crossed the interior of Brazil in the 1920s and passed through what is now Tocantins. It is on the Praça dos Girassóis, in the administrative center of Palmas.
The building was designed by Oscar Niemeyer and opened in 2001. It is one of the architect's works in the capital and catches the eye of anyone walking around the square.
The collection includes photographs, documents and personal belongings related to Luiz Carlos Prestes, some donated by his family, including furniture. The exhibit helps you understand the route of the march and its passage through the region.
Outside are the sculpture Cavaleiro da Luz, in honor of Prestes, and the Monumento aos 18 do Forte, both by the artist Maurício Bentes. The space also has a small theater, used for performances and events.
The visit is relaxed and pairs well with a stroll around the Praça dos Girassóis. It will appeal to anyone who enjoys Brazilian history and modern architecture.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
About an hour to see the exhibit and the outdoor area at a relaxed pace.
Best time
Any time of year, preferably in the morning, when the sun on the square is still weaker; in the dry season (May to September) the midday heat is intense.
How to get there
It is on the Praça dos Girassóis, in downtown Palmas, near the Palácio Araguaia. You can walk from other points on the square, or get there by car, ride-hailing app or the bus lines that run through downtown.
Tip
Check opening hours on the official Tocantins government website before you go, and take the chance to see other monuments on the Praça dos Girassóis on the same outing.
A look at the place
Memorial Coluna Prestes in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Memorial Coluna Prestes
Is there an entrance fee at the Memorial Coluna Prestes?
No. Admission is free.
Who designed the Memorial Coluna Prestes?
The building was designed by Oscar Niemeyer and opened in 2001.
Where is the Memorial Coluna Prestes?
On the Praça dos Girassóis, in downtown Palmas, near the Palácio Araguaia.
What is there to see at the Memorial Coluna Prestes?
Photographs, documents and personal belongings related to Luiz Carlos Prestes and the Column's march, plus sculptures by Maurício Bentes outside.
How long does the visit take?
About an hour is enough to see the exhibit and the outdoor area.