National Museum of Brazil

National Museum of Brazil

Established in 1922, the National Museum of Brazil houses approximately 287,000 artifacts, making it the largest numismatic collection museum in Latin America. The building that houses the museum was originally the Santiago Fortress, built to defend the strategic site of Ponta do Calabouço in Rio de Janeiro.

The museum complex is a composite structure. One of its buildings is the Fort of São Tiago da Misericórdia, constructed in 1603, while the oldest structures date back to 1567. In 1693, a prison for enslaved people was built here. In 1762, an ammunition depot was added, followed by an armory in 1764 and a barracks in 1835.

As the collection grew, the museum gradually occupied more of the buildings on-site, eventually forming a complex. It gained global recognition in the 1940s. Covering an area of 20,000 square meters, the National Museum of Brazil hosts over 25 permanent and temporary exhibitions.

National Historical Museum

Must-visit reason: Largest numismatic collection museum in Latin America

Continent: South America【South America】

Country/Region: Brazil[Brazil]

Province/State: Rio de Janeiro State [Rio de Janeiro State]

City: Rio de Janeiro [Rio de Janeiro]