MuseuCasadaMoedadoBrasil

Located in an imposing palace of about 6,000 m² in the heart of Rio de Janeiro, the Museu Casa da Moeda do Brasil is a treasure that reopened its doors to the public in 2018, after a meticulous restoration that lasted six years. The museum not only holds the memory of coin and banknote manufacturing in the country, but the building itself is a monument spanning two centuries of Brazilian history.

Image description: The image shows the facade of a yellow building with gray details. On the left, there is a green and yellow flag hanging. On the right side, there are two white banners with logos and blue text. At the top of the building, it reads "MUSEU CASA DA MOEDA DO BRASIL" in gray letters. The main entrance has a brown door with a window above it.

The museum is located across from Campo de Santana (Praça da República). During the colonial period, the site was a swampy open field on the outskirts of the city. In the 19th century, it became the stage for Brazil's greatest political events: it was there that D. Pedro I was acclaimed Emperor and where, decades later, in 1889, the Proclamation of the Republic took place. The area was surrounded by noble residences and prestigious institutions, reflecting the importance of the Empire's administrative center.

Built in the early 19th century to serve as the residence of the Baron of Ubá, the building had various uses that mirrored the very history of the country:

In 1818, D. João VI acquired the property to house the newly created Royal Museum, the country's first museum devoted to science and natural history. There the collection remained for 74 years, until it was transferred to the São Cristóvão Palace in 1892.

Image description: This is a photograph of an interior, possibly of a museum. The image shows a reception area with a wall decorated with an illustration of coins and medals in gold and silver tones. On the left, there is a banner with information about the site. On the lower part of the wall, it reads "CASA DA MOEDA DO BRASIL" and "CLUBE DA MEDALHA DO BRASIL". The floor is covered with geometric tiles in beige and blue tones.

After the museum's departure, the building served the War Intendancy and the City Forum. In 1906, it became the headquarters of the Arquivo Nacional, a role it held for decades. The Casa da Moeda took over the property in 1985. Today, besides the restored architectural beauty, the museum offers fascinating exhibitions such as "Do Réis ao Real," which narrates Brazil's economic evolution through its money, and the exhibit "Nota Real," which reveals the secrets and security features of our current banknotes.

Image description: The image shows an exhibition about coins and banknotes of the Brazilian Real. On the left, there is a pedestal with a glass display case, where monetary objects are displayed. In the background, there is a wall with information and images of Real banknotes. The left wall highlights "2019" and "25 Anos do Real" (25 Years of the Real). On the right, there is a section with the date "2010" and several images of Real banknotes, arranged in columns. The predominant colors are gold, black, and brown.

Visiting the Museu Casa da Moeda means walking through the corridors where Brazil began to organize itself as a nation, in a setting that combines the opulence of the past with the technology of modern monetary security.

Useful Information

Address: Praça da República, 26 – Centro, Rio de Janeiro – RJ (Across from Campo de Santana and near Central do Brasil).

Official Website: https://www.casadamoeda.gov.br/portal/

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Tip: The museum is usually closed on national and state holidays. It is recommended to check the official website before visiting.

Access Conditions: Free. Security: As this is an institution linked to Casa da Moeda, visitors may be asked to present original photo identification at the entrance.

Accessibility: The mansion underwent modernization renovations that include elevators and ramps, ensuring access for people with reduced mobility.

Shop: The museum has an official shop for collectors of commemorative coins and medals.