Iron and glass
Made in France.
Wilfredor — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bruno Ferreira Soares — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Alexandre Ternis Ferreira — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Crystal Palace is an iron-and-glass pavilion in central Petrópolis, its parts prefabricated in the Saint-Sauveur company's workshops in Arras, France, and opened in 1884, inspired by London's Crystal Palace and its counterpart in Porto. The Count of Eu, husband of the emperor's daughter Princess Isabel, ordered it as a gift so she could grow her plants, and it was first used for agricultural shows. It went through hard times: in 1938 its glass walls were covered with tin and brick to house a museum, and in the early 1960s it was nearly demolished for a sports complex, saved at the last moment by historians and heritage campaigners. It was listed as a national monument in 1967, and glass walls like the originals were restored for its centenary in 1984. It takes only minutes to see, at its best in its garden or lit up in the evening, and it hosts exhibitions and festivals, among them the Bauernfest, a yearly celebration of the German settlers who built the town.
Made in France.
Around the pavilion.
A glowing sight.
Rua Alfredo Pachá, central Petrópolis
Cathedral of PetrópolisThe Cathedral of São Pedro de Alcântara, the Cathedral of Petrópolis, is the tow5 minutes walk4.7
Santos Dumont House (A Encantada)The Santos Dumont House is a small summer home built in 1918 by Alberto Santos-D7 minutes walk4.6
Imperial MuseumThe Imperial Museum is the summer palace of Emperor Pedro II, Brazil's last empe11 minutes walk4.9The Count of Eu ordered it as a gift for his wife, Princess Isabel, to grow her plants; it was first used for agricultural shows and opened in 1884.