Inaugurated on December 17, 2015, the Museu do Amanhã is an icon of contemporary architecture and a symbol of the revitalization of the Zona Portuária of Rio de Janeiro. Its approach focuses on the transformations the planet is undergoing and the choices humanity needs to make to ensure a sustainable future.
The museum rises on the former Píer Mauá, a structure that for decades served as a gateway for passengers and goods arriving at the Port of Rio. The Praça Mauá area has a dense historical layering: in the colonial period, it was a maritime trade area, and in the early 20th century, it became the epicenter of the federal capital's urban modernization, with the construction of warehouses and the opening of Avenida Central (now Rio Branco).
Image description: This is a photograph of Museu do Amanhã, located in Rio de Janeiro. From left to right, we see a modern building with white triangular structures. In the center, there are tall palm trees and an open space with people walking. In the background, a long bridge over the sea is visible, with a large ship passing beneath it. The sky is light blue and the sea has a deep blue tone.For much of the second half of the 20th century, the area was cut off from the city by the Elevado da Perimetral. With the Porto Maravilha project, the overpass was demolished, restoring the view of Guanabara Bay to Rio locals and transforming the old industrial pier into a cultural hub that today is also home to AquaRio and the Museu de Arte do Rio (MAR), all connected by the modern VLT light-rail line.
The project, signed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, was inspired by the shape of the bromeliads at the Jardim Botânico. The building is a lesson in sustainability: its movable roof features photovoltaic panels that track the sun, and water from Guanabara Bay is used in the cooling system and in the reflecting pools before being returned to the sea, filtered and clean. The surrounding landscaping bears the signature of the Escritório Roberto Burle Marx.
Image description: This is an interior photograph of a modern museum. The image shows a large circular opening in the ceiling, through which the outside can be seen, with trees and natural light. The interior is lit by natural light coming in through the opening. The walls are white and curved, creating a futuristic atmosphere. People are walking through the space, some on upper levels looking down into the interior. At the center, there is a reception area with tables and chairs.Museu visto de dentro
The main exhibition is a narrative journey organized into five major areas: Cosmos, Earth, Anthropocene, Tomorrows, and Us. Through interactive experiences and digital technology, visitors are invited to reflect on humanity's fundamental questions: Where do we come from? Who are we? Where are we? Where are we going? How do we want to get there?
Internationally recognized, the Museu do Amanhã has already been named "Best Museum of the Year in South and Central America" (2016) and awarded for its excellence in digital experiences.
Useful Information
Address: Praça Mauá, 1 – Centro, Rio de Janeiro – RJ (Easy access via VLT – Museus Stop).
Official Website: museudoamanha.org.br
Opening Hours: thursday to tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Last entry is at 5 p.m.). Tip: The museum usually has a large flow of visitors, so it is recommended to buy tickets online in advance.
Access Conditions: Full price: R$ 30.00 | Half-price: R$ 15.00. Free Admission: On Tuesdays, admission is free for all visitors (online ticket must be obtained in advance). The museum also offers permanent free admission for children up to 5 years old, companions of people with disabilities, public school teachers, among other groups (check the full list on the website).
Accessibility: The museum is fully accessible for wheelchair users, and features tactile signage, audio description, and Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) translation across various digital content.
