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Rio de Janeiro Museums to Visit

Do you know which museums in Rio de Janeiro are worth visiting ? In this article, we'll present 3 museum options that you absolutely shouldn't miss.

In addition to all its natural beauty, the city of Rio de Janeiro is also rich in history, culture and museums.

Stroll through the streets of downtown and you'll see the unique 19th-century architecture that remains intact and evident amidst today's skyscrapers.

In fact, Rio de Janeiro has much more to offer than beaches and natural landscapes.

The city has a wide variety of museums and cultural centers and there are always events going on for you to enjoy.

Whether it's historic buildings containing pieces of history or futuristic models, Rio de Janeiro's museums attract all audiences.

Therefore, in this article, we have selected for you some museums in Rio de Janeiro that you absolutely must visit.

Simply choose the ones you like the most and prepare your cultural itinerary in the wonderful city.

1. Museum of the Republic (Catete Palace)

To begin, we present the Catete Palace , one of the most important museums in the history of Brazil.

This space was inaugurated in 1897 and served as the seat of the Presidency of the Republic during the years when Rio de Janeiro was the capital of the country. 

The building has three floors and a beautiful garden where you could walk with the children and take pictures.

In addition, the museum also presents temporary and permanent artistic exhibitions whose themes focus on Republican Brazil.

So, if you want to know more about the history of Brazil, this museum is ideal.

Finally, you can visit the Museum of the Republic from Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 17pm, and on weekends from 11am to 18pm.

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2. Rio Museum of Arts (MAR)

Next, we present a more modern museum, opened in 2013 in the port area of ​​the city, the Rio Museum of Arts (MAR).

The museum features beautiful architecture and is located in two connected buildings.

One of the buildings is the old Palacete Dom João VI where the exhibition halls are located.

On the other hand, the other is a modernist building, home to the Escola do Olhar program, responsible for developing university programs on culture, art and education.

In other words, if you want to experience seeing the old and the new in the city of Rio de Janeiro, this place is perfect.

Moreover, another interesting feature of the museum is that all its exhibitions are temporary.

So, you can visit the Rio Museum of Arts from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 17pm, and admission is free on Tuesdays.

3. National Museum of Fine Arts (MnBA)

In conclusion, we recommend the National Museum of Fine Arts (MnBA) , an ideal outing for art enthusiasts.

Built during the reform period of the city of Rio de Janeiro, this museum houses the largest and most important collection of 19th-century Brazilian art.

So, his collection includes paintings, engravings, sculptures, books and replicas of Greco-Roman works.

Most of the works exhibited in the museum were part of the personal collection of the Viceroy of Portugal, Dom João VI, brought with him to Brazil in 1808.

Moreover, the architecture of the museum itself is already a great work of art, since its building has been listed as a historical heritage site for almost 50 years.

Finally, you can visit the National Museum of Fine Arts from Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 18pm; on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 12pm to 17pm. On Sundays, admission is free.