Rio de Janeiro: Paco Imperial

The former imperial palace- Paco Imperial- is the place where, in 1888, Princesa Isabela proclaimed the Freedom from Slavery Act. It was built in 1743 as a governor's residence. It became the home of Dom Joao and his family when the Portuguese throne gave the royal power to the colony. After being neglected for many years, it was recently restored and transformed in to a cultural venue. It now houses exhibitions and concerts and its cinema screens foreign and art-house films. You can visit the palace for free, between noon and 6.30 pm, Tuesday to Sunday.