Inaugurated in 1909, the National Theater is one of the most important theaters in Brazil. The National Theater – or Theatro Municipal, as we call it in Portuguese - has drawn the attention of international artists and important names from Brazilian culture, including dancers, musicians, and opera singers. Since the 1930s, the Theatro Municipal of Rio de Janeiro has maintained its artistic independence and is the only Brazilian institution to have its own choir, a symphony orchestra, and ballet company.

The biggest library in Latin America was founded in 1810 by D. João VI, the King of Portugal. The National Library – or Biblioteca Nacional, as we call it in Portuguese - has an archive of almost 9 million items with rare books, manuscripts, original letters written by Princess Isabel, the first newspapers printed in the country, and two copies of the precious Mainz Psalter Bible, printed in 1492. By law, a copy of every book published in Brazil must be held in the library. As the oldest cultural institution in the country, during your visit you see Brazil, quite literally, through the pages of history.