Palácio de Cristal

The Palácio de Cristal (Rua Alfredo Pachá, tel. 24/2247-3721, 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Tues.–Sun.) is a striking iron-structured glass palace that was made in France and assembled in Brazil [1] for Princesa Isabel. The princess held fashionable balls and parties here, the most memorable of which occurred in 1888, when she gave out letters of liberation to slaves before signing the Lei Áurea, which officially ended slavery in Brazil.

Isabel’s husband, the Conde d’Eu, used the palace as a hothouse, where he cultivated orchids. In modern times, it is used as a stage for theatrical and musical events.