On Rua Primeiro de Março, in the historic center of Rio de Janeiro, the Tiradentes Palace (Palácio Tiradentes) houses the State Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro. Built in the 1920s in an eclectic style, it occupies the site of the former imperial parliament and bears witness to a century of Brazilian political life, at a time when Rio was still the country's capital.

Why visit Tiradentes Palace

Tiradentes Palace appeals to several profiles of travelers: lovers of eclectic architecture, passionate about political history, visitors curious to understand how Rio structured its role as federal capital until 1960. The building combines a monumental facade, ornate interiors (mosaics, marble, stained glass), historical exhibitions and a plenary chamber still in active use. Entry is free, making it a natural complement to a stroll through the city's colonial center.

History of Tiradentes Palace

Before 1922, the site housed the seat of the Brazilian imperial parliament, at a time when Rio de Janeiro was the capital of Brasil. The basement of this building housed the Cadeia Velha, an underground prison famous for holding several figures of independence.

The imperial building is demolished in 1922 and a new building in eclectic style is erected in its place, designed by architects Archimedes Memória and Francisque Cuchet. It is named in honor of Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, nicknamed Tiradentes, a major figure in the Inconfidência Mineira and national hero.

The palace successively housed several institutions: the constituent national assembly in 1934, the Department of Press and Propaganda around 1937, then the Chamber of Deputies again in 1946. In 1960, with the transfer of the federal capital to Brasília, the building becomes the seat of the State Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro, a role it retains today.

What to see on your visit

The facade and the square

The facade is organized around six central pillars standing 12 meters high and two large side towers. At the top of these stand the statues of Dom Pedro I and Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca. Facing the monument, a statue of Joaquim José da Silva Xavier completes the triptych symbolizing independence and the proclamation of the Republic.

The entrance hall

Five doors open onto the hall, with a floor adorned with mosaics and a worked ceiling. A grand marble staircase leads to the upper floor, while two side doors provide access to a long corridor that leads to the library and then the plenary chamber. The corridor features a permanent exhibition on the history of Brasil, from the imperial period to the Republic.

The Parliament Library

The library holds a collection of legal works and furniture in imbuia, a dark wood typical of southern Brasil. The whole conveys the atmosphere of an early 20th-century parliamentary cabinet.

The Plenary Chamber (Plenário)

The centerpiece of the visit, the Plenário arranges several rows of antique desks facing the President's table, framed by the stenographers' posts. Behind the presidency, a fresco depicts the 63 electors at the signing of the first republican Constitution in 1891.

Above, the dome features a stained-glass window depicting the night sky of November 15, 1889, the date of the proclamation of the Republic. It is surrounded by paintings illustrating key episodes of national history, several signed by the artist Eliseu Visconti. Side balustrades allow the public to attend sessions.

The Salão Nobre

On the upper floor, the Salão Nobre hosts several temporary exhibitions per year on varied themes: history of Brasil, 20th-century Brazilian artists, memory of Rio state institutions.

Practical information

• Address: Rua Primeiro de Março, historic center of Rio de Janeiro
• Fee: free entry
• Duration of visit: allow 1 to 1.5 hours
• Access to guided tours: by prior reservation, mainly reserved for groups (schools, organized groups). Check current procedures on the official website of the Legislative Assembly (ALERJ) before you go.
• Hours: open during the day Monday to Sunday, with reduced hours on weekends and public holidays. Confirm in advance, as hours vary according to the parliamentary calendar.

When to visit

The palace can be visited year-round. Parliamentary session periods (outside long summer breaks at year's end) offer the opportunity to see the Plenário in action from the public balconies. For comfort on foot in the historic center, favor mornings during the dry season (April to October), milder than the southern summer.

How to get there

The palace is located in Rio's historic center, easily accessible by public transport:

• Metro: Carioca station, a few minutes' walk away
• Taxi or ride-sharing: say "Palácio Tiradentes" or Rua Primeiro de Março
• On foot: from Praça XV or Paço Imperial, the palace is accessible in less than 10 minutes

Nearby attractions

Tiradentes Palace is part of a broader tour through Rio de Janeiro and its heritage. To further explore Brazilian imperial history, the Imperial Museum of Brasil, in Petrópolis, perfectly complements the visit by presenting the emperors' summer residence and their collections.

Frequently asked questions

Integrating Tiradentes Palace into your trip

A visit to the palace naturally fits into a discovery stay of Rio's colonial center, as a complement to Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain and the neighborhoods of Santa Teresa and Lapa. To build a custom itinerary in Brasil, consult our travel packages to Brasil.