Palácio Rio Branco, Government palace in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
The Palácio Rio Branco is a government building in Ribeirão Preto that displays a facade combining baroque and modern elements, including rounded contours and floral motifs in its carvings and exterior paintwork. The building serves as the seat of the Mayor and several city administration departments.
Construction began in 1915 under Mayor Joaquim Macedo Bitencourt, with the cornerstone laid on August 3rd, and the building was completed in April 1917. This roughly two-year construction period created a new administrative seat for the city.
The interior decoration was shaped by painter Carlos Baraldi, who worked alongside craft workshops including the Lyceu de Artes e Ofícios on furnishings and tapestries. This collaboration demonstrates how local artists and craftspeople were involved in creating the building's design.
The building is open to visitors, though it remains an active administrative center and its interior spaces are primarily used for government functions. You should know that access to certain areas may be limited or available during official working hours only.
In 1992, the building underwent a comprehensive renovation in which all woodwork was replaced and plumbing and electrical systems were modernized. Despite these technical updates, the structure retained its original architectural appearance.
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