Palacio Rio Branco (Rio Branco Palace), Salvador
The Rio Branco Palace (Palacio Rio Branco) is an imposing palace and museum in the historical center of Salvador. Built in 1549, Rio Branco Palace is one of the oldest palaces in the country.
Construction on the palace started under the first governor-general of Brazil, Tome de Sousa. Its purpose was to serve as the center of the Portuguese administration. It was known for its beauty and the vast number of rare books housed in the palace's library. Sadly, a bomb in 1912 devastated part of the building and destroyed all of the rare books in the palace's collection.
The palace was reconstructed in 1919 and was given a new, Neoclassical appearance. It was named in honor of Jose Paranhos, Baron of Rio Branco, a diplomat, historian, politician, and professor; considered the "father of Brazilian diplomacy."
Palacio Rio Branco is now home to the Pedro Calmon Foundation and Museum. It is part of the historical city center UNESCO World Heritage site.
Construction on the palace started under the first governor-general of Brazil, Tome de Sousa. Its purpose was to serve as the center of the Portuguese administration. It was known for its beauty and the vast number of rare books housed in the palace's library. Sadly, a bomb in 1912 devastated part of the building and destroyed all of the rare books in the palace's collection.
The palace was reconstructed in 1919 and was given a new, Neoclassical appearance. It was named in honor of Jose Paranhos, Baron of Rio Branco, a diplomat, historian, politician, and professor; considered the "father of Brazilian diplomacy."
Palacio Rio Branco is now home to the Pedro Calmon Foundation and Museum. It is part of the historical city center UNESCO World Heritage site.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Salvador. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The GPSmyCity App
Palacio Rio Branco (Rio Branco Palace) on Map
Sight Name: Palacio Rio Branco (Rio Branco Palace)
Sight Location: Salvador, Brazil (See walking tours in Salvador)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Salvador, Brazil (See walking tours in Salvador)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Salvador, Brazil
Create Your Own Walk in Salvador
Creating your own self-guided walk in Salvador is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Salvador Introduction Walking Tour
Salvador is a coastal city in Brazil. Founded in 1548, it is the country's former capital and serves as the current capital of the state of Bahia. It is one of the oldest planned cities in the Americas.
Due to its location, early Europeans turned Salvador into an important trade route for slavery. Of the nearly 5 million enslaved people who were imported to Brazil, about 1.3 million were... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Due to its location, early Europeans turned Salvador into an important trade route for slavery. Of the nearly 5 million enslaved people who were imported to Brazil, about 1.3 million were... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Salvador's Historical Churches Tour
Salvador’s historic district contains many old Catholic churches with wonderful architecture and history. It has so many that some joke that one can visit a different church in Salvador each day of the year. Follow this self-guided walking tour to discover the city’s best churches.
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles