The façade
On Cinelândia.
Francisco Anzola — CC BY 2.0 · Quintinense — Public domain · Estela Neto — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Estela Neto — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Maria Eduarda Sabatini — CC0 · Núcleo de digitalização / IMS — Public domain
The Pedro Ernesto Palace is a historic building on Cinelândia square that has housed Rio de Janeiro's city council since 1923. The historian Brasil Gerson nicknamed it the «Golden Cage» for its lavish cost, 23 million réis, more than twice that of the Theatro Municipal next door. It was designed and built by the engineer Heitor de Melo and the architect Arquimedes Memória and decorated with work by Carlos Oswald, Eliseu Visconti and the brothers Carlos and Rodolfo Chambelland. Before settling here in 1923, the council had moved between fourteen seats since the 16th century: from the town hall and jail on Castelo hill in 1567 to houses, arches and buildings in the old centre, including the Campo de Santana palace. The palace is named after Pedro Ernesto, Rio's mayor in the 1930s. It is part of the splendid ensemble around Cinelândia with the Theatro Municipal and the National Library, seen from the square at any time, and it sometimes opens its ornate halls to public visits, so ask about the times.
On Cinelândia.
Visconti and Oswald.
Since 1923.
Praça Floriano (Cinelândia), central Rio de Janeiro
CinelândiaCinelândia is the popular name of Praça Floriano Peixoto, one of the largest pub1 minute walk
Theatro Municipal, Rio de JaneiroThe Theatro Municipal is one of Brazil's most beautiful and important theatres, 1 minute walk4.9
Museu Nacional de Belas ArtesThe National Museum of Fine Arts fills an eclectic-style building on Avenida Rio2 minutes walk4.8
Santa Teresa Tram (Bondinho)The Santa Teresa Tram, the yellow bondinho, is a historic tram line climbing fro3 minutes walk4.4
Gustavo Capanema PalaceThe Gustavo Capanema Palace, known to architects as the Ministry of Education an4 minutes walk4.4For its lavish cost, 23 million réis, more than twice that of the neighbouring Theatro Municipal.