historic monument · Petrópolis, RJ
Palácio de Cristal
A cast-iron and glass pavilion assembled in 1884 for horticultural exhibitions, ordered from France and now used for cultural events. It is one of the city's most recognizable images.
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 Palácio de Cristal
The Palácio de Cristal is an iron and glass pavilion made in Arras, France, and assembled in Petrópolis like a kit by engineer Eduardo Bonjean. It is cited as the first prefabricated iron and glass structure in Brazil. It was commissioned by the Conde d'Eu, Princess Isabel's husband, for the city's Agricultural and Horticultural Society. The cornerstone was laid in 1879, and it opened with a ball for the Court on February 2, 1884.
The pavilion was built for flower and farm product exhibitions, but these lasted only a few years. The best-remembered episode is from 1888: on Easter Sunday, weeks before the Lei Áurea, Princess Isabel handed out 127 letters of manumission there.
The building is single-story and smaller than the name suggests. It has a central hall with side wings and semicircular ends, on a brick base, with slender iron columns and glass walls. Between 1938 and 1943, it housed the Museu Histórico de Petrópolis. Iphan listed the palace and the surrounding square in 1967. The latest restoration ran from 2020 to 2022; during the work, archaeological digs found thousands of 19th-century artifacts.
Today the palace is the city's party hall. It hosts the Bauernfest, the German immigration festival, in the middle of the year, and the Natal Imperial (Imperial Christmas), among other events. Outside those, you can go in and walk through the hall and the garden, which has a fountain on each side of the entrance path. At night, the pavilion is lit up.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
Half an hour. Longer on event days.
Best time
Late afternoon, when the pavilion's lights come on. It is usually closed on Mondays. During festivals, such as the Bauernfest, the space becomes a party area and the visit changes.
How to get there
Rua Alfredo Pachá, in the historic center, on Praça da Confluência. It is a few minutes' walk from the Museu Imperial.
Tip
Even when the gate is closed, you can see the lit-up pavilion through the fence at night. Check the events calendar before you go.
A look at the place
Palácio de Cristal 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 Palácio de Cristal
Can you go inside the Palácio de Cristal?
Yes. Outside events, you can walk through the hall and the garden. It is usually closed on Mondays.
Where did the palace's structure come from?
From France. The iron and glass pavilion was made in Arras and assembled in Petrópolis, opening in 1884.
What happened at the palace in 1888?
On Easter Sunday 1888, weeks before the Lei Áurea, Princess Isabel handed out 127 letters of manumission there.
Is the palace lit up at night?
Yes. Even when the gate is closed, you can see the lit-up pavilion through the fence.