Belem Museums and Art Galleries

(Belem, Pará, Brazil)

The museums of Belem cover many interesting topics, including local Pará history, religion and art. Located on the Rua Padre Champagnat, on the northern side of the Praca Dom Pedro II and just a short stroll from the Praca Frei Caetano Brandao, the Museu do Cirio stands close to the waterfront and documents how the discovery of an image of the Virgin Mary in the 18th century has grown into one of the world's largest annual religious celebrations.

The art galleries of Belem also stand out and the Museu de Arte Sacra (Museum of the Sacred Art) is especially notable, containing some important religious relics and art works. Tourists may also like to pencil in a visit to the Museu de Arte de Belem - MABE (Belem Art Museum), where there are three main exhibition halls and two temporary exhibition spaces, amongst other attractions.

Museu de Arte Sacra (Museum of the Sacred Art)

Address: Praca Frei Caetano Brandao, Belem, Pará, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 091 4009 8802
Situated on the Praca Frei Caetano Brandao, the Museu de Arte Sacra is housed within the Igreja do Santo Alexandre church and the adjacent Bishop's Palace (Palacio Episcopal). The church is of great local significance, since it was built at the beginning of the 17th century by Jesuits and remains the oldest still standing in the city. Inside visitors will discover a vast interior, with detailed historical sculptures created by the Indians, who used a mixture of plaster and native cedar wood. In the Palacio Episcopal are various contemporary paintings and sculptures, together with a pleasant cafe and popular gift shop. Guided tours are available, although if you require a guide who speaks English, this service should be arranged at least two days ahead of your visit.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge, discounts for students and children, free on Tuesdays

Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi / Museu Emilio Goeldi (Emilio Goeldi Museum)

Address: Avenida Governador Magalhaes Barata 376, Belem, Pará, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 091 3249 1233
Founded as far back as the mid-1860s and part of the Parque Zoobotanico complex, the Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi has grown to become an important research facility. As you explore the exhibits you will find that the highlights include an array of Indian artefacts, including colourful 'Marajoara' pottery created by the indigenous Marajó Indians. However, it is really the Brazilian animals and zoo gardens that steal the show at this particular attraction - especially the monkeys.
Open hours: Tuesday to Thursday - 09:00 to 11:30, 14:00 to 17:00, Friday - 09:00 to 11:30, Saturday and Sunday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Museu de Arte de Belem - MABE (Belem Art Museum)

Address: Palacio Antonio Lemos, Praca Dom Pedro II, Belem, Pará, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 091 3283 4687
Often abbreviated as simply the 'MABE', the Museu de Arte de Belem is situated within the Palacio Antonio Lemos, which was built between 1868 and 1883 as the headquarters of the Intendencia Municipal. The palace is known for its striking neo-classical facade and strong French influences, while the art museum comes with some 1,000 paintings, sculptures and drawings, as well as photographs, limited-edition prints and an extensive library. As you explore the gallery, you should also be aware of the period furnishings and antiquities, which originate from the time of the country's 'rubber boom'.
Open hours: Tuesday - 09:00 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday - 09:00 to 13:00
Admission: free

Museu do Estado do Pará (Pará State Museum)

Address: Palacio Lauro Sodré, Praca Dom Pedro II, Belem, Pará, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 091 3241 2215
The official State Museum is referred to locally as the Museu do Estado do Pará and stands in the Palacio Lauro Sodré, which dominates the Praca Dom Pedro II with its bright-white architecture. Founded in 1994, the Museu do Estado is brimming with exhibitions of contemporary art works, together with examples of traditional Brazilian paintings and decorative arts from the 19th and 20th centuries. The ground floor tends to contain the main visiting and temporary displays, while upstairs are the permanent pieces.
Open hours: Tuesday to Friday - 13:00 to 18:00, Saturday and Sunday - 09:00 to 13:00
Admission: free

Museu do Cirio (Cirio Museum)

Address: Praca Dom Pedro II, Belem, Pará, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 091 4009 8846
Exhibits at the Museu do Cirio occupy two large rooms and explain the significance and origins of the city's famous annual Cirio of Nazaré religious celebration and procession, which takes place on the second Saturday every October and reliably attracts close to one million participants. Guided tours are available and last between 20 to 30 minutes, although you should note than some guides only speak Portuguese and not English.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: free