Palacio de Cristal, Brazil

Wonder: Palacio de Cristal
Country: Brazil
Region: Petropolis
Visitable: Yes
About:
Palacio de Cristal is a high symmetry structure which can be appreciated from any angle or viewpoint.

The Palacio de Cristal is a cast-iron and glass building. It is located in the city of Petrópolis (Rua Alfredo Pachá, s/n – Centro), State of Rio de Janeiro.

The Palacio de Cristal is a place that has a high symmetry, which is why it can be appreciated from any angle or viewpoint. The lighting in the palace covers all areas, with medium-size trees, flowers and lots of grass. There are only a few large trees to produce enough shade during the warm excursions and exhibitions. Also the two small lakes on the margins of the gate are appreciates for tourist and general public.

This palace is a beautiful work of art appreciated by tourists for its excellent way to capture the colors and the variety of flowers that grow on the tops of the trees.

Now the Palacio de Cristal is used for exhibitions and events, as the Bauernfest, the annual festival and a tribute to the German colonists of Petropolis.

HISTORY

The Palacio de Cristal is located in the old square; the palace was built in the workshops Confluence Corporation Saint-Sauvers Les Arras, France in 1879.

There, Count D'Eu and Princess Elizabet founded the Association of Horticulture Petrópolis, where the president of the association was Count D'Eu (Princess Elizabet´s husband), and was inaugurated in 1884. The intention of the Count and Princess Elizabeth was to use the site as an exhibition space for the exhibition of flowers, fruits and poultry.

In 1888, four years after opening, Prince Isabel held a spectacular party here; at that historical event, she granted freedom to several slaves, and that was a prelude to her signing, a few months later, and the law which abolished slavery in Brazil.

In 1938 the palace was converted to house the Museum of Petrópolis.

In 1957 the palace was declined by the Institute of National Historical and Artistic Heritage, and rebuilt with similar walls in the centenary year of the palace in 1984.

But after the Proclamation of the Republic, this palace was used for various events. With the end of the Association of Horticulture, it was sold at public sale and became a casino, then transferred to the Fire Department, then became the main office of several literary associations of entities related to the music, the Lyceum of Arts and Oficios of Petropolis, bowling club and dance hall.

Throughout the years, the structure of the Palacio de Cristal was affected by corrosion and the weakening of their chandeliers. The crystals were destroyed during a storm were replaced by the common glass, and the gardens were renovated by the French Auguste Glaziou.

Now the Palacio de Cristal is used for exhibitions and events, also it is one of the best tourist attractions of Petropolis for the beauty that emanate.