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PetrópolisLocated at Serra dos Órgãos, 809 meters altitude in the midst of the lush Atlantic Forest and only a 59 km drive from Rio de Janeiro by BR-040, Petrópolis was established by Emperor Dom Pedro II (Peter II of Brazil), on March 16th 1843. Its royal past, combined with its natural attractions, keep local tourism alive. Petrópolis’ history, with many chapters from Brazil’s history, is preserved in palaces where the Imperial Family spent almost half the year. The city was also the Federal Capital from 1894 to 1903 and became the summer residency of Presidents of Brazil. With bold urban planning prepared by engineer, Major Julio Frederico Koeler, his palaces and monuments constitute great historical and cultural heritage. Highlights of its tourist attractions are the Museu Imperial (Imperial Museum), Catedral de São Pedro de Alcântara (Saint Peter of Alcântara Cathedral), Palácio de Cristal (Crystal Palace) and Casa de Santos Dumont (Santos Dumont House). Nowadays, the Imperial City is a haven for artists, intellectuals and the famous, being one of the major tourist attractions in the country. In a quick tour around the city, one can notice the influence of the first German colonizers just by the city’s architecture, urbanism and cuisine. In addition to the wonderful landscape and fresh mountain climate, the surroundings of Petrópolis offer cozy and attractive inns and a diverse and sophisticated culinary itinerary, which becomes increasingly famous and sought by tourists everyday. City Specifications:
Area: 795,80 km2 (IBGE - 2010) Tourist Information:
Fundação de Cultura e Turismo (Culture and Tourism Foundation) |
