The Royal Portuguese Reading Room is one of the most important symbols of the Portuguese presence in Rio de Janeiro and holds one of the largest collections of literary works by Portuguese authors outside Portugal. Founded on May 14, 1837, by a group of 43 Portuguese immigrants, the Reading Room's main goal was to create a space for reading and cultural dissemination for the Lusitanian community in what was then the capital of the Brazilian Empire. It was a way for these immigrants to keep their cultural and literary traditions alive on Brazilian territory.
Image description: This is a photograph of the interior of a historic library. The image shows a panoramic view of the ceiling, which is octagonal and adorned with stained glass in shades of blue, red, and white. At the center of the ceiling hangs a large chandelier, lighting up the space. The walls are lined with tall bookshelves full of books, arranged in orderly rows. Looking upward, the ceiling opens to let in natural light, further highlighting the richness of the decoration.Salão do Real Gabinete Português de Leitura. ABL/Reprodução.
As a cultural landmark in the city, the *Gabinete* soon became a gathering place for the intellectual elites of various eras. Evidence of this includes the hosting of formal sessions of the Brazilian Academy of Letters on its premises (before the Academy had a headquarters of its own) and the fact that writers such as Machado de Assis, João do Rio, and Manuel Bandeira, among others, frequented its library.
Founded on Rua Direita (now Rua Primeiro de Março), it subsequently occupied spaces on Rua de São Pedro, Rua da Quitanda, and Rua dos Beneditinos. However, the ceaseless growth of its book collection—reaching around 40,000 volumes by the late 1870s—soon highlighted the need for a larger headquarters suited to its purpose. Having already acquired land on the former Rua da Lampadosa, the *Gabinete*'s board of directors included the cornerstone-laying ceremony for the new building in the celebrations marking the tercentenary of the death of Luís de Camões; on June 10, 1880, Emperor Dom Pedro II presided over the event and decreed that the street be renamed to its current designation: Rua Luís de Camões. The building was designed by the Portuguese architect Rafael da Silva e Castro, and its inauguration took place in 1887.
Image description: This is a historic black-and-white photograph of a building known as the Real Gabinete Português de Leitura. The image shows a street with old buildings. On the left, there is a three-story building with balconies and windows. In the center, the main building has Gothic architecture with pointed towers and an arched entrance. On the right, there is another three-story building with rectangular windows. At the top of the central building, there is a sign with the text "GABINETE PORTUGUÊS DE LEITURA". The street is paved with stones and there are some people walking.The façade of the headquarters of the Portuguese Reading Room, at the end of the 19th Century, National Archive. Photographic Collections.
The building's architecture is in the Neo-Manueline style, which combines robust and dynamic forms with fluid curves, inspired by maritime flora and the nautical themes of the Age of Discoveries. The façade features pointed arches and sculptures of Vasco da Gama, Pedro Álvares Cabral, Prince Henry the Navigator, and Luís de Camões. Inside, four medallions represent Fernão Lopes, Gil Vicente, Alexandre Herculano, and Almeida Garrett.
Image description: The image shows a stone statue in front of a building. The statue is positioned in the center of the image, with a clear blue sky in the background. The statue depicts a male figure dressed in old-fashioned clothing, holding books in his hands. At the base of the statue, there is a stack of books. The building in the background appears to be classical in style, with visible architectural details.Royal Portuguese Reading Room
The initial collection, composed of donations from the founders themselves, grew over time, incorporating rare and valuable works, including first editions of Portuguese literary classics such as Os Lusíadas by Camões and the Dicionário da Língua Tupy by Gonçalves Dias, as well as other historical documents.
Image description: This is a photograph of a historic library. The image shows an interior view, with tall shelves packed with books organized by color and size. On the left side, we see shelves with green and blue books. In the center, shelves with red and yellow books. On the right, shelves with green and blue books. The ceiling is green with ornamental gold details. The floor is black and white, with geometric patterns. There is a wrought-iron railing in the foreground, with decorative details.Royal Portuguese Reading Room
Throughout the 20th century, the Royal Portuguese Reading Room established itself as an important center for research and the preservation of Portugal's and Brazil's literary and historical heritage. The building has undergone several renovations and modernizations while preserving its rich original architecture.
Royal Portuguese Reading Room
In 1900, the Portuguese Reading Room became a public library, allowing anyone to access its books, and in 1906, the then King of Portugal, Dom Carlos, granted it the title of ´Royal´. In 1935, the institution was recognized as an entity of public utility, reinforcing its role as the guardian of a collection that today exceeds 350,000 volumes, including books, manuscripts, and periodicals.
Image description: This is a historic black-and-white photograph. At the center of the image stands a building in Neo-Gothic architecture, characterized by rounded windows and ornamental details. On the left, a tree is partially visible. In front of the building, there is a horse-drawn carriage with people inside it. The carriage rests on a paved street. On the right, there is another tree and a few human figures walking along the street. At the top of the building, it reads "GABINETE PORTUGUÊS DE LEITURA."Royal Portuguese Reading Room, on rua Luís de Camões. On the right the back of the Escola Politécnica, currently IFCS of UFRJ, Marc Ferrez, 1887. IMS collection.
The Royal Portuguese Reading Room remains a meeting point for scholars and literature enthusiasts, welcoming daily visitors who wish to explore its vast collection or simply admire the beauty of the building.
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.
