Quinta da Boa Vista

I confess, to my shame, that I have only now discovered this great place. Well, I had been to the zoo already but not really to the park or the museum.

The museum (Museu Nacional) is now a museum of natural history, though it used to be the palace of the Portuguese king Dom Joao VI and the home of our emperor's.

Unfortunately none of the rooms is furnished to show the splendor of the court (to see that you would have to go to Petropolis), On the right is the ceiling of the throne room.


There are plenty of dinosaurs, meteorites and indian scenes to enjoy.

The surrounding park is beautiful as well. However, the sign below tells you specifically that it is forbidden to wash your clothes in the lake.

Parque Lage

This park is a lovely cool place to visit on a hot summer's day, and on any other day too.
The property used to belong to industrialist Henrique Lage who built a gorgeous mansion, with an indoor patio and pool, for his wife, the italian soprano Gabriela Bezanzoni around 1920.
The property was expropriated by "dictator" Getulio Vargas in the 60s.
Now it houses the School of Visual Arts Parque Lage.

It is well worth a visit for its lovely gardens, lakes, exuberant tropical foliage, aquarium and also for a great breakfast, around the pool, on the week-ends.
Entrance is free.

Rua Jardim Botanico 414, tel: 3257-1800