Museu do Ipiranga/Museu Paulista

Frommer's Review

Located at the birthplace of Brazilian independence -- it was here that D. Pedro I in 1822 declared Brazil's independence from Portugal -- the museum is a classic European palace: a grand neoclassical building with Versailles-like gardens out front and a "wilder" botanical garden out back. The collection houses some real gems of Brazilian art and some interesting exhibits telling the history of São Paulo. There are also a number of photo exhibits showing 19th-century São Paulo as it developed. Upstairs in the grand salon hangs one of Brazil's most famous paintings, a canvas by Pedro Americo entitled Independence or Death. The remainder of the exhibit consists of period furniture, household objects, and clothing. On weekends, the park behind the museum is packed. No English signs. Allow 1 hour.

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