PalácioTiradentes

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O Palácio Tiradentes was a central hub of Brazilian politics until the capital was moved to Brasília. It was inaugurated as the seat of the Chamber of Deputies on 6 May, 1926 and also commemorated the Centenary of the Legislative Power. Its plenary hall hosted presidential inaugurations and witnessed the drafting of two Constitutions, in 1934 and 1946. It was closed during the Estado Novo (1937–1945) because it housed the Department of Press and Propaganda (DIP) starting in 1939. The palace also served as the Legislative Assembly of Guanabara between 1960 and 1963. With the dissolution of Guanabara, it became home to the Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj) in 1975, hosting the state parliament and the inaugurations of governors and state deputies ever since. Today, the palace is the historical headquarters of the state legislature, having been designated a heritage site by IPHAN in 1993 and become one of the main spaces of political and cultural life in Rio de Janeiro state.

Image description: The image is a black-and-white poster. At the top, there is a date "1888 GOLDEN LAW 1988". Below, it reads "NOTHING HAS CHANGED" in large letters. Next is "LET'S CHANGE" with emphasis on "CHANGE". The phrase "MARCH AGAINST THE FARCE OF ABOLITION" appears below, highlighting participation. In the background, there are images of people in different situations, possibly related to the history of the abolition of slavery. At the bottom, it reads "TAKE PART MAY 11 - 4 PM - CANDELÁRIA BLACK MOVEMENT - RJ".

Inauguração do Palácio Tiradentes, em 6 de maio de 1926. Photograph by Augusto Malta, 1926. Source: Augusto Malta/Instituto Moreira Salles collection

The Tiradentes Palace, a landmark of Brazilian architecture, has deep roots in Rio de Janeiro's political culture. This is evident in the choice of location. Before the Palácio Tiradentes, the location housed the Municipal Chamber and Jail, the headquarters of the Senate of the Chamber of Rio and a public jail between 1639 and 1808. It was dubbed the Old Jail and the building witnessed the sentencing of Tiradentes. He was imprisoned for three long years on the Ilha das Cobras for his involvement in the episode known as the Conjuração Mineira. The second lieutenant was the only conspirator sentenced to death by the Portuguese Crown. He was held in the Old Jail for four days before his execution by hanging in Rio de Janeiro on 21 April, 1792.

Image description: This is a historic black-and-white photograph of a palace. On the left side, we see a building with several windows and a tower with domes. On the right, there is a large building with a rectangular facade, containing many windows and balconies. In the center, there is a plaque with inscriptions, although they are not fully legible. In front of the palace, there is an area with stones and a sidewalk. On the left, we see a street with a lamppost and a traffic sign. On the right, there are more buildings and a street lamp. In the bottom right corner, there is an inscription that appears to say "Cadeia Velha" and "Palácio Tiradentes".

Cadeia Velha, que deu lugar ao atual Palácio Tiradentes. Photograph by Augusto Malta, 1919. Source: Augusto Malta/ Instituto Moreira Salles collection.

Image description: This is a painting depicting a battle scene. The image shows an open field with a partly cloudy sky in the background. On the left, we see soldiers on foot and on horseback advancing toward the right. They are equipped with colorful uniforms and weapons. On the right, more soldiers are in motion, some on horseback and others on foot, also wearing varied uniforms. There is a modest house at the center of the image, surrounded by trees and vegetation. The terrain is predominantly sandy and covered with grass.

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Imagem 1 de 2: Interior da prisão de Tiradentes no térreo da Cadeia Velha . 1910. Autoria não identificada. Instituto Moreira Salles.

Leitura da sentença dos inconfidentes. Author: Eduardo de Sá, 1921. Source: National History Museum/Ibram/MinC.

Image description: This is an old photograph of a large hall, likely a parliament or assembly, with classical architecture. On the left side, we see a series of hanging lamps illuminating the room. In the center, there is a raised platform where the most important participants are seated. On the right, a large crowd stands, occupying the space above the platform. The background features decorative arches and columns, giving the image a monumental appearance.

It is the younger sibling of the Palácio Pedro Ernesto, inaugurated in 1923 in Cinelândia, and they shared the same architects. The building's construction lasted four years (1922–1926) and it was designed by Archimedes Memoria in partnership with Francisque Cuchet, two architects who played a pivotal role in transforming Rio de Janeiro during the 1920s with significant works such as the Jockey Club in Gávea. The Palácio Tiradentes was a modern building for its time and was one of the first structures in Latin America built with reinforced concrete. The use of innovative construction techniques served the purpose of transforming the palace into a "nation in miniature," using materials sourced from all the Brazilian states. For example, the interior of the plenary hall was crafted from imbuia wood donated by the State of São Paulo.

Image description: This is a black-and-white engraving depicting the Praça Imperial in Rio de Janeiro. On the left side, we see historic buildings with ornate façades and regularly spaced windows. In the center, there is an imperial palace with classical architecture, distinguished by its columns and architectural details. On the right, there is a large church with domes and towers, which appears to be the Metropolitan Cathedral. In front of the palace, people are walking and riding horses, while carriages are parked. The sky is overcast, giving the scene a somber tone. In the lower right corner is written "RIO DE JANEIRO" and "PALAIS IMPERIAL ET CATHÉDRALE".

Project for the Palácio Tiradentes. Source: O Paiz, year XXXIX, nº 632, 1922. National Library Foundation – Brazil

Image description: This is an old black-and-white photograph of a palace under construction. On the left side, we see a street with trees along it. In the center, the palace is in the construction phase, with scaffolding structures and building materials scattered throughout the area. The palace's main façade features columns and a canopy at the top. On the right, there is another building with balconies and windows. In the background, the sky is clear, and on the left, we see more historic buildings.

The building stands out in the cityscape as a piece of narrative architecture. Its portico with classical columns, a dome forming an immense internal stained glass feature, and the sculptural groups adorning the façade and staircase tell the story of Brazil's Republic, making the palace a monument to national politics.

Image description: This is an old black-and-white photograph of the Palácio Tiradentes. On the left side, we see a column with statues. In the center, the main building has a classical façade with columns and a dome on top. On the right, there is another column with statues. In front of the palace, there is a staircase with a figure standing in the center. In the background, other buildings are visible.

At the forefront is the statue of Tiradentes, created by Francisco de Andrade. Inspired by Rodin's ´Monument to Balzac´, the sculptor employed modern techniques to transform bronze into the civic Christ of Brazil, portraying Tiradentes as a martyr with long hair and a beard. The second lieutenant is flanked by two winged Victories holding laurel crowns, symbolizing the triumph of the ideal of Independence in Brazil.

Image description: This is an old black-and-white photograph. In the image, we see a large sculptural monument in a central position, depicting a male figure with a long beard, wearing a wide robe. The figure is standing, with arms crossed over the chest. Beside the monument, there is a person sitting on a wooden ladder, looking at the statue. The background shows a metal roof structure and wooden walls. On the left, a table can be seen with some objects and scattered papers.

On the sides of the composition are two notable groups: Independence, featuring Pedro I and José Bonifácio, and Proclamation of the Republic, with Deodoro da Fonseca and Benjamin Constant. All the figures are dressed as Roman emperors, emphasizing the building's authority. The author of these works, Modestino Kanto, a Black artist, prominent sculptor, and carnival designer in early 20th-century Rio de Janeiro, drew inspiration from carnival floats for the decoration of the Palace.

Image description: The image is an old black-and-white photograph. In the center, we see a person wearing a classic suit with a tie. The arms are crossed over the chest. The person is set against a neutral background, with no additional details. In the upper right corner, there is a mark reading "Folha n° 26". Below the photo, there is a handwritten inscription that reads "Modestino Canto, escult. Rio - 1912".

Modestino Kanto, sculptor, 1912 Source: Album de Artists, 1917. National Library Foundation – Brazil.

Inauguração do Palácio Tiradentes, em 6 de maio de 1926. Photograph by Augusto Malta, 1926. Source: Augusto Malta/Instituto Moreira Salles collection

Image description: The image shows two logos. On the left side, there is a blue shield with a crown and decorative elements, followed by the text "Rio Prefeitura Turismo" in blue. On the right side, there is a logo with the phrase "Rio Memórias" in orange, inside a square with vertical lines.