Immigrant Inn, Immigration museum in Brás District, São Paulo, Brazil
The Immigrant Inn is a reception center and museum in Brás that documents the arrival and settlement of people from other countries. The five-story building once housed over a hundred residential units and now displays exhibits showing the daily lives and personal stories of those who passed through.
The building was established in 1887 and served for decades as a reception point for millions of people arriving in Brazil. It also experienced difficult periods, including use as a political detention facility and later as temporary housing for various communities.
The building tells the story of how different immigrant groups built their lives in the city and shaped the identity of Brás through their trades, food, and customs. Walking through the neighborhood today, you can still see the influences of these communities in the shops, restaurants, and street life.
The museum is easily accessible by public transportation, with several metro stations nearby in the central area. Wear comfortable shoes, as you will need to climb several flights of stairs to see the full range of exhibits throughout the building.
The building was used at different times as a political prison and later as housing for new immigrant groups, showing how its role changed with the city's history. These shifting functions reflect the transformations that São Paulo itself has experienced.
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