| Petropolis --- 5 Feb 2006 |
After breakfast at the York Hotel we walked a few blocks to the Casablanca Palace Hotel, where we
were offered a very large, bright, well-furnished room for 100 Reais (US$50). We accepted
immediately, walked back to the York Hotel, got our bags, checked out, and rolling our bags walked
back to the Casablanca Palace Hotel..
were offered a very large, bright, well-furnished room for 100 Reais (US$50). We accepted
immediately, walked back to the York Hotel, got our bags, checked out, and rolling our bags walked
back to the Casablanca Palace Hotel..
After lunch we walked to the nearby "Museu Imperial", housed in the large and opulent former
Imperial Palace. This museum contained most of Emperor Dom Pedro's beautiful furnishings and is set
in park-like grounds. This museum is justifiably Petropolis' main tourist attraction.
Imperial Palace. This museum contained most of Emperor Dom Pedro's beautiful furnishings and is set
in park-like grounds. This museum is justifiably Petropolis' main tourist attraction.
The former Imperial Palace,
in which the "Museu Imperial
is now housed.
in which the "Museu Imperial
is now housed.
Then we went to the "Catedral Sao Pedro de Alcantara", built about 1947, totally different from the
very ornate colonial churches we had seen earlier on this trip. Gothic in architectural style, sparse in
the use of religious statuary and decor --- what a change! This church contains the tombs of Emperor
Dom Pedro and his Empress.
very ornate colonial churches we had seen earlier on this trip. Gothic in architectural style, sparse in
the use of religious statuary and decor --- what a change! This church contains the tombs of Emperor
Dom Pedro and his Empress.
Caskets of Emperor Dom Pedro II
and his Empress
and his Empress
Catedral Sao Pedro de Alcantara
Interior of the Cathedral
We then took a walk in the most upscale part of the city and viewed the exteriors of a number of
mansions including the palace of Dom Pedro II's daughter, Princess Isabel.
mansions including the palace of Dom Pedro II's daughter, Princess Isabel.
During our walk we visited the "Palacio Cristal", built in France in 1879, disassembled and shipped to
Brazil and there re-assembled as the Emperor's greenhouse. It is now used for conferences,
assemblies, and similar events.
Brazil and there re-assembled as the Emperor's greenhouse. It is now used for conferences,
assemblies, and similar events.
Palacio Cristal, Petropolis, Brazil
Interior of Palacio Cristal, Petropolis, Brazil
We also came upon a "Cultural Center" where we viewed an art exhibit. The Center also includes an
outdoor swimming pool and a soccer field.
outdoor swimming pool and a soccer field.