Tiradentes Palace

The Tiradentes Palace, in Rio de Janeiro

The Tiradentes Palace, neighbour of the Imperial Palace, is the seat of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio de Janeiro. The Rio de Janeiro audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this majestic political building, whose name honours a hero of the independence of Brazil.

The seat of the Legislative Assembly

Just next to the Imperial Palace stands the Tiradentes Palace, seat of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio de Janeiro. This majestic building, constructed at the beginning of the twentieth century in an eclectic and monumental style, contrasts with the colonial sobriety of its neighbour and testifies to the ambition of the young Brazilian Republic, which wanted to endow itself with institutions worthy of the great democracies. Its imposing façade, adorned with columns and topped with a dome, expresses the solemnity of the legislative power. The palace bears the name of Tiradentes, nickname of Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, a heroic and martyr figure of the history of Brazil: this dentist, nicknamed the tooth-puller, was one of the leaders of a movement for independence at the end of the eighteenth century, and was executed for this cause, becoming a national symbol of the struggle for freedom. To give his name to this high place of democracy is to honour his memory. The palace moreover sheltered for a time the national Parliament. A major political building and a tribute to a national hero, the Tiradentes Palace is a fine stop of the discovery of Rio de Janeiro.

What to see

You admire the majestic building of the beginning of the twentieth century, of eclectic and monumental style, with a façade adorned with columns and topped with a dome, seat of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio, which contrasts with the colonial sobriety of the neighbouring Imperial Palace and bears the name of Tiradentes, hero and martyr of the struggle for the independence of Brazil. The Tiradentes Palace is a major political building of Rio. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Tiradentes Palace lies next to the Imperial Palace, in the heart of the historic district of Rio de Janeiro, reachable on foot. It is the seat of the Legislative Assembly; you admire its façade from the square, and visits may be offered according to their own conditions, which vary. It is best to inquire before coming.

Who was Tiradentes, whose name the palace bears in Rio de Janeiro?

Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, nicknamed Tiradentes (the tooth-puller), a heroic and martyr figure of the history of Brazil: this dentist was one of the leaders of a movement for independence at the end of the eighteenth century and was executed for this cause, becoming a national symbol of the struggle for freedom; the palace that bears his name is the seat of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio.

Where is the Tiradentes Palace in Rio de Janeiro?

Next to the Imperial Palace, in the heart of the historic district of Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil.