The 10 Best History Museums in Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro (RJ)

February 4, 2022 Deane Carmody

With its plentiful beaches, dramatic mountains, and backdrop of samba and bossa nova rhythms, it's easy to fall in love with Rio de Janeiro. Made famous in song, Ipanema Beach is still the place to stroll, sunbathe, and be seen. The largest Art Deco statue in the world, Christ the Redeemer, beckons visitors to Corcovado Mountain. Rio’s annual Carnaval celebrations are bacchanalian extravaganzas of feasting, music, dance, and costumed revelry.
Restaurants in Rio de Janeiro

1. Casa da Tia Ciata

Rua Camerino N0 05, Centro, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 20080-011 Brazil +5521967801710 [email protected] https://www.tiaciata.org.br/
Excellent
100%
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5.0 based on 11 reviews

Casa da Tia Ciata

Casa da Tia Ciata is a cultural space to keep alive the memory of the samba Matriarch. A permanent exhibition about the samba veteran is the main attraction of the space. ” Visitation Tuesday and Thursday, from 14h to 17h. Friday, from 2 pm to 6:30 pm. Hilária Batista de Almeida, known as Tia Ciata, is one of the most influential figures in the black culture of Rio de Janeiro at the beginning of the 20th century. In his house, several cultural, artistic and religious expressions of black culture, pursued at the time, found a space of freedom and expression.

2. Museu Historico Nacional

Praca Marechal Ancora s/n, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 20021-200 Brazil +55 21 3299-0324 [email protected] http://mhn.museus.gov.br/
Excellent
62%
Good
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 907 reviews

Museu Historico Nacional

Originally a fortress and an ammunition depot dated of Colonial Brazil, the National Historical Museum created in 1922 became one of the most important museums of history in the country, housing a collection of circa 300,000 items. It holds 9,000 square meters galleries of long term and temporary exhibitions, besides a Library and Historical and Institutional Archives .

Reviewed By sannax - Sweden, null

It took us ca 2 hours to see the part of the museum we were interested in (history of Brazil) and it was really interesting, good AC inside, important on a hot day and nice break from the always-busy-city.

3. National Historic Museum

Praca Marechal Ancora S/N, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 20021-200 Brazil http://www.museuhistoriconacional.com.br/
Excellent
43%
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4.5 based on 7 reviews

National Historic Museum

4. Imaginarias Igreja N. Sra. do Carmo da Lapa do Desterro Museum

Largo da Lapa s/n Lapa, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 20021-170 Brazil 21-3094-8310
Excellent
38%
Good
56%
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6%
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4.5 based on 16 reviews

Imaginarias Igreja N. Sra. do Carmo da Lapa do Desterro Museum

5. The Mankind Museum

Avenida Chrisostomo Pimentel de Oliveira 443 Instituto de Pesquisa Histórica e Arqueológica do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 21645-521 Brazil +55 21 3358 0809
Excellent
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4.5 based on 9 reviews

The Mankind Museum

6. Instituto de Pesquisa e Memoria Pretos Novos - IPN

Rua Pedro Ernesto 36, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 20220-350 Brazil +55 21 2516-7089 http://www.pretosnovos.com.br/index.html
Excellent
55%
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4.5 based on 20 reviews

Instituto de Pesquisa e Memoria Pretos Novos - IPN

Reviewed By trueblue101357 - New York City, United States

I stumbled upon this gem when I was doing research on museums dedicated to the Africans who were viciously and violently brought to brazil against their well. Given that you cannot fully understand Brazilian history without understanding their long history with slavery, I thought there would be numerous museums dedicated to this subject. However, as I started to plan my itinerary, I realized that I was sorely mistaken. It wasn't until an hour into my research did I find this gem. The IPN Museum tells the often forgotten story of slavery....a story that the government would most want to forget. It starts with an informational video that cannot be missed and then a tour of the mass graves of the slaves who were not given the decency of a proper resting place.  At the end, I asked the woman who showed us in about the homeowners' who selflessly donated the home upon discovering the graves and it turned out that she was their daughter! Through my tears, I thanked her for the important work they are doing. It really affirmed my belief that one person (or one family in this case) can make a difference. From what I understand, they do not get government funding and lack the resources to market the museum to a mass audience. They rely on word of mouth so please tell everyone you know to visit AND then write a review on google and/or tripadvisor. No matter your race, nationality or heritage, this museum should not be missed. 

7. Forte de Copacabana

Praca Coronel Eugenio Franco 1 Spot 6, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 22070-020 Brazil +55 21 2287-5357 http://www.mhexfc.eb.mil.br
Excellent
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4.5 based on 946 reviews

Forte de Copacabana

Reviewed By 773nicholasn - Copenhagen, Denmark

Besides being able to see the fort with the entrance fee (7 real) there's also some interesting museums. There's some nice cafes as well . They are a bit expensive though.

8. Palacio do catete

Rua do Catete 153 Metro CATETE, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 22220-000 Brazil (21) 2127-0324 http://museudarepublica.museus.gov.br
Excellent
63%
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4.5 based on 94 reviews

Palacio do catete

9. Museu Historico e Diplomatico do Itamaraty

Avenida Marechal Floriano, 196 - Centro Palácio Itamaraty, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 20080-002 Brazil (21) 2253-2828 [email protected] http://ererio.itamaraty.gov.br/pt-br/museu_historico_e_diplomatico.xml
Excellent
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Good
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Satisfactory
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4.0 based on 15 reviews

Museu Historico e Diplomatico do Itamaraty

The Itamaraty Historical and Diplomatic Museum was created by Decree No. 38 312 - of 15 December 1955. The Itamaraty Palace, also known as the "Palacete-Cor-de-Rosa", is a jewel of Brazilian neoclassical civil architecture. Former residence of the Itamaraty Family, the Palace was the first seat of the Provisional Government and later became the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. And between the years 1902 and 1912 it became the residence of the Chancellor Baron of Rio Branco. Due to the pandemic of Covid-19, the museum will be closed from March 17th until March 30th. After this date, we will evaluate the situation.

10. Carnival Memorial Center

Avenida Rio Branco 4 2 Andar Centro, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 20090-903 Brazil [email protected]
Excellent
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4.0 based on 6 reviews

Carnival Memorial Center

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