Palácio de Cristal, Iron and glass palace in Petrópolis, Brazil.
The Palácio de Cristal is an exhibition hall made of iron and glass in Petrópolis, imported from France and assembled in a park with old trees. The iron framework supports arched roofs of transparent panels, while inside, cast iron columns and arches divide the space into several areas.
Count d'Eu commissioned the structure in 1881 from a French company for agricultural exhibitions in the imperial city. The building was shipped in crates two years later and opened in 1884, later serving for public events.
The palace is used today for exhibitions and events, notably the annual Bauernfest, a festival honouring Petrópolis's German settlers. The building takes its name from the glass panes of its iron framework, and in 2018 it received museum registration from the Brazilian Institute of Museums.
Access is available on most weekdays without an entrance fee, and the main entrance sits near the central avenues of the park. Arriving early in the morning means finding the building quieter and viewing the metalwork in clear daylight.
A citizen protest in the 1960s saved the structure from demolition by the city administration. The campaign led to official recognition as a protected monument and secured its preservation for decades to come.
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