Palácio Quitandinha

The Palácio Quitandinha sits at the foot of mountains and combines a Norman-French exterior with Art Deco interiors across six floors and roughly 50,000 square meters. The building clearly displays both architectural styles in its structure and rooms.

The complex opened in 1944 as Latin America's largest casino hotel and operated until 1946 when Brazil banned gambling. This legal change forced a transformation of the place into residences and later into a public venue.

The palace displays decorative elements by Dorothy Draper that incorporate Brazilian maritime and forest themes throughout the interior. These details appear in hallways and rooms, reflecting the country's natural character.

Visitors can join free guided tours on most days and explore various exhibitions throughout the place. The public areas are easily accessible and regularly open for cultural events organized by SESC.

The artificial lake in front of the palace mirrors the geographical shape of Brazil and holds sand brought from Copacabana Beach. This carefully planned design links the building to the country's landscape and history.

Location: Petrópolis

Inception: 1944

Official opening: 1944

Floors above the ground: 6

Website: http://sescrio.org.br/unidades/sesc-quitandinha/informacoes

GPS coordinates: -22.52727,-43.21278

Latest update: December 17, 2025 08:51