Equestrian statue of Dom Pedro I, Bronze monument in Tiradentes Square, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
This equestrian sculpture depicts Emperor Pedro I mounted on horseback while holding the 1824 Constitutional Charter, positioned atop a tall granite base. The bronze work dominates Tiradentes Square through its scale and detailed decorative reliefs that adorn the pedestal.
The monument was inaugurated on March 30, 1862, marking the site where Emperor Pedro I swore in the 1824 Constitution. The square had witnessed a tragic earlier event when independence leader Tiradentes was executed there in 1792.
The monument's base displays indigenous people, native animals, and river representations that together symbolize Brazil's natural and cultural diversity. These symbols ground the emperor within the land he ruled and reflect how 19th-century leaders expressed their connection to the nation's geography and peoples.
The statue is located at the intersection of Rua Visconde do Rio Branco in Centro and is easily reached by public transportation. The square is accessible at any time since it sits in public space surrounded by historic buildings and nearby shops.
French sculptor Louis Rochet cast the bronze statue in Paris based on a design by Brazilian artist João Maximiano Mafra. This collaboration between European and Brazilian artists reflects how the young Brazilian monarchy commissioned foreign masters for its most important monuments.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
