church · Petrópolis, RJ
Catedral de São Pedro de Alcântara
A neo-Gothic cathedral about 70 meters tall, built over almost a century. It houses the Imperial Mausoleum, with the tombs of Dom Pedro II and Empress Teresa Cristina.
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 Catedral de São Pedro de Alcântara
The Petrópolis cathedral took almost a century to complete. The first stone was laid in 1876 and the second, at the high altar, in 1884, when Dom Pedro II left coins and documents from the period there. The church opened still unfinished in 1925, and the tower was completed only in 1969. The style is neo-Gothic, inspired by the cathedrals of northern France.
To the right as you enter is the Imperial Mausoleum. Here lie Dom Pedro II and Empress Teresa Cristina, moved here in 1939, and Princess Isabel and the Conde d'Eu, brought in 1971. The reclining figures on the tombs are life-size, carved in marble.
The nave has dozens of stained-glass windows and a 1937 organ with more than two thousand pipes. Since the 2022 restoration, you can climb the tower, about 70 meters tall: a metal walkway passes over the vaults and through the organ gallery to a viewpoint overlooking the historic center.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
Half an hour in the nave and the mausoleum, and about 40 minutes more for the tower visit.
Best time
Outside Mass times, so you can walk around the nave at a relaxed pace.
How to get there
Rua São Pedro de Alcântara, 60, downtown, a few minutes' walk from the Museu Imperial.
Tip
Entry to the nave is free; the climb up the tower is paid separately.
Official website
A look at the place
Catedral de São Pedro de Alcântara 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 Catedral de São Pedro de Alcântara
Who is buried in the cathedral?
The Imperial Mausoleum holds Dom Pedro II, Empress Teresa Cristina, Princess Isabel and the Conde d'Eu, among other members of the imperial family.
Is there an entrance fee?
The nave is open and free. The climb up the tower is paid separately.
Can you climb the tower?
Yes, since the 2022 restoration. The route passes over the vaults and through the organ gallery to a viewpoint over downtown.