Centro Cultural Palácio Rio Negro

Manaus

LoginSave

The former home of eccentric German rubber baron Waldemar Scholz, the Centro Cultural Palácio Rio Negro was built in the early 1900s and served for many years as the state capital and governor's residence. Converted into a cultural center in 1997, it now hosts temporary art exhibits and occasional concerts and performances in the eclectic main house. Other buildings contain a fine art gallery, a ho-hum coin museum and a sound-and-image museum.

Free guided tours are available, usually in Portuguese, though you may get lucky and find an English-speaking docent.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • The Amazon rainforest, Brazil

    Jardim Botânico Adolpho Ducke

    10.25 MILES

    Spanning over 100 sq km, this 'garden' is actually the world’s largest urban forest. There's a network of five short trails (guides and closed shoes…

  • Teatro Amazonas

    Teatro Amazonas

    0.56 MILES

    This gorgeous theater was built at the height of the rubber boom, using European designers, decorators and even raw materials. The original driveway was…

  • Encontro das Águas

    Encontro das Águas

    7.99 MILES

    Just beyond Manaus, the warm dark Rio Negro pours into the cool creamy Rio Solimões, but because of differences in temperature, speed and density, their…

  • Amazonian tropical rainforest environment, giant water lily pads on a calm river water surface. 1324092776

    Parque Ecologico Januari

    6.23 MILES

    As close as you'll get to experiencing a real Amazonian ecosystem on a half-day trip from Manaus, this 9000-acre park has flooded forests, giant water…

  • 982319568

    Praia da Lua

    10.96 MILES

    Manaus’ best beach has fine white sand and tea-colored water, and can be coupled with a visit to the Museu do Seringal for a nice city escape. Like all…

  • Manaus, Brazil - March 24, 2014: People walking at the Mercado Municipal Adolfo Lisboa in Manaus, Brazil. 483168030 Brazilian, Latin America, Fashion, Women, Females, Amazonia, Rustic, Community, Antique, Downtown District, Souvenir, Manaus, Hat, Awe, Exploration, Elegance, Exoticism, Multi Colored, Old-fashioned, Old, Cultures, Famous Place, Travel Destinations, People, Amazonas State - Brazil, Brazil, South America, Gift, Market, Traditional Festival, Necklace, municipal, Style, Made In Brazil, Center

    Mercado Municipal Adolfo Lisboa

    0.59 MILES

    Manaus' historic city market was inaugurated in 1882, a downscaled replica of Paris' famed Les Halles market. Safe and bustling, the central building has…

  • Museu do Seringal Vila Paraíso

    Museu do Seringal Vila Paraíso

    14.11 MILES

    Located on the grounds of a former rubber-baron estate, this museum includes tours of the historic townhouse, a replica rubber-tapper shack and smokehouse…

  • Bosque da Ciência (INPA)

    Bosque da Ciência (INPA)

    3.35 MILES

    Occupying a lush forest plot within the city, Bosque da Ciência (aka INPA, for the research institution that runs it) has enclosures for rescued manatees,…

View more attractions

Nearby Manaus attractions

1. Centro Cultural Usina Chaminé

0.24 MILES

Also known as the Museu dos Cinco Sentidos (Museum of the Five Senses), this innovative museum uses the five senses to evoke and illustrate indigenous and…

2. Palacete Provincial

0.29 MILES

The ‘Image and Sound’ center at this handsome cultural complex has a huge collection of films, including century-old documentaries by Portuguese filmmaker…

3. Teatro Amazonas

0.56 MILES

This gorgeous theater was built at the height of the rubber boom, using European designers, decorators and even raw materials. The original driveway was…

4. Museu Amazônico

0.57 MILES

Housed in a converted mansion, the Museu Amazônico has a small but excellent collection of indigenous items and artifacts from around the Amazon, many…

5. Mercado Municipal Adolfo Lisboa

0.59 MILES

Manaus' historic city market was inaugurated in 1882, a downscaled replica of Paris' famed Les Halles market. Safe and bustling, the central building has…

6. Catedral Metropolitana de Manaus

0.6 MILES

Manaus' main cathedral has twin bell towers and a warm yellow interior. It makes for a welcome respite from the busy streets just outside.

7. Porto Flutuante

0.74 MILES

Inaugurated in 1902, Manaus' 'floating port' was a technical marvel of its day, able to adjust 15m or more to seasonal water levels. (Look for high water…