- Catedral de Sao Pedro de Alcantara - Originally, the Mother Church of Petrópolis was a modest building located in front of the Imperial Palace, but the construction of a new Matrix was already foreseen, in the present place, in the urbanization plan of Petrópolis, dated 1843, written by Major Júlio Frederico Koeler.
Facade of the cathedral.
In the 1870s the construction of the new church was reconsidered, thanks to the interest of Dom Pedro II and his daughter, Princess Isabel. In 1871 the construction of a new Matrix was officially decided, but it would take time to materialize. In 1876 the Italian architect Federico Roncetti presented / displayed a project in neo-Renaissance style, that was refused.
The current building of the cathedral began to be built only in 1884. The project was commissioned from the Bahian engineer and architect Francisco Caminhoá, who conceived a neo-Gothic style building, very fashionable at the time, especially inspired by the old cathedrals of northern France. The work was carried out by Manuel Pereira Jerônimo’s contractor, the son of one of the first families to settle in the city, from Pico Island in the Azores.
The construction of the cathedral did not stop after the Proclamation of the Republic and followed until 1901, when the works enter a period of paralysis. Under the command of engineer Heitor da Silva Costa, the work entered a second phase of intense activity in 1918. Finally, on November 29, 1925, the new headquarters of Petrópolis was inaugurated after 37 years of work. The building, however, was not finished, lacking the main façade and the tower, and much of the interior decoration. The works of the facade only began in 1929 and reached rosette level in the 1930s. The tower would only be built between 1960 and 1969. Interior of the Cathedral.
In 1920 the decree banning the Imperial Family of Brazil was annulled, and as early as 1921 the remains of Dom Pedro II and D. Tereza Cristina were brought from the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora, in Lisbon, to Rio de Janeiro, where were housed in the Metropolitan Cathedral. In 1925 the remains were transferred to the sacristy of the cathedral of Petropolis. Finally, on December 5, 1939, President Getúlio Vargas and other authorities inaugurated the Imperial Mausoleum, where the Emperor and Empress were finally transferred. In 1971, Princess Isabel and her husband, Count D’Eu were buried in the mausoleum.
- Professional information and tour guide with car
- Museum admission included
- Air-conditioned transportation
- Lunch
- Tickets for cervejaria Bohemia (It is optional the visit)
- Tickets for Dummont house
- Tickets for Bohemia cervejaria (optional visit)
- Tickets Quintandinha Palace
Discover the captivating history and allure of Petropolis through our transportation and expert guide services loaded with essential information for your pleasure and edification. During the residence of the royal family in Rio de Janeiro, numerous expeditions occurred through the heart of what is now the state of RJ. One such journey by Dom Pedro I in 1822 took him from Rio de Janeiro to the Golden Path in Minas Gerais, where he stayed at the Padre Correia farm in the region. The charm was instantaneous, initiating a love affair between Dom Pedro I and the Petropolis region. Subsequently, he procured the then Fazenda do Córrego Seco, later renamed ‘Petropolis.’.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
