Praça Quinze

Av. 1 de Março,
Rio De Janeiro
Southwest Brazil

Type: Sightseeing

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The next stretch of Av. 1 de Março houses Cultural centers and private clubs in wellpreserved buildings. You’ll soon find yourself at the most historic site in the city – Praça Quinze de Novembro, invariably referred to as Praça Quinze. The plaza, its buildings, monuments and statues were central to the history of both the city and country. In 1590, Carmelite fathers built a convent on this site. Later, in 1700, the government of Rio bought some property from the fathers And used the land to build royal warehouses, Which they expanded several times. The area later included the mint. At that time, the Plaza was known as the Largo do Carmo (Carmelite). One attractive building became home to the viceroys governing Brazil for Portugal. In 1808, when the royal family was forced to flee to Brazil in front of Napoleon’s advancing army, they moved into the building and it then became the Royal Palace (Paço Real). The square was renamed Largo do Paço. When Dom João was crowned Emperor upon the death of his mother, Rio be-came the capital of the Portuguese Empire. The palace was then renamed the Imperial Palace (Paço Imperial), a name that remains today. When Dom Pedro I, João’s son, refused to return to Portugal even after Napoleon was defeated, the Brazilian Empire was born. His son, Dom Pedro II, followed his father's path and the empire lasted 67 years until Dom Pedro II’s daughter, Isabel, signed a document abolishing slavery. The uproar caused by her decision forced the royal family to abdicate and on November 15, 1889 Brazil was declared a republic. Rio was named its capital and a year later, the plaza was renamed Praça Quinze de Novembro, or Praça Quinze, to mark the event.The Imperial Palace at 48 is open to the public and now serves as a cultural center. Inside, look for the “archer’s room” on the ground floor, which has retained its original stone floor.