page_title: Paço Imperial
section_title: Royal Palace
hierarchical_section_title: Paço Imperial / History / Royal Palace
caption_attribution_description: Português: Vista exterior da galeria de aclamação do rei de Portugal, Brasil e Algarves, D. João VI. Français&#160;: Vue exterieur de la galerie de l'aclamation de le roi de Portugal, Brésil et Algarves, Dom João VI. English: Exterior view of the acclamation of João VI as king of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and Algarves.
context_page_description: The Paço Imperial, or Imperial Palace, previously known as the Royal Palace of Rio de Janeiro and Palace of the Viceroys, is a historic building in the center of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Paço Imperial was built in the 18th century to serve as a residence for the governors of colonial Brazil. From 1808, it was used as a royal residence by King John VI of Portugal as King of Portugal and later also as King of Brazil. In 1822 it became the city palace of the monarchs of the Empire of Brazil, Pedro I and Pedro II, who used it not as a residence, but as a workplace. It was one of the main political centers of Brazil for nearly 150 years, from 1743 to 1889.
  The Paço Imperial is located in the Praça XV de Novembro in central Rio. Due to its architectural and historical significance, it is one of Brazil's most important historic buildings. Today it serves as a cultural center.
context_section_description: The Palace became a Royal Palace (Paço Real) in 1808, when the court of Prince Regent John of Braganza arrived in Rio, escaping the invasion of Portugal by Napoleon. Here the Prince Regent (later King John VI) ruled the newly named United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves. Around this time, a third floor was added to the central portion of the façade of the Palace which faced the sea. At the back of the Palace, an elevated passageway was built to link the Palace with the Carmelite Convent, where Queen Mary I of Portugal was housed. A throne room was arranged on the second floor of the Palace, and there the traditional ceremony of beija-mão (hand-kissing) took place.
caption: Acclamation of King John VI on February 6, 1818
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