National Museum of Brazil

National Museum of Brazil

The National Museum of Brazil has a long and inspiring history, and it’s essential to know its current status after the tragic fire. On September 2, 2018, a devastating fire tore through the museum’s historic main building, the Paço de São Cristóvão. The blaze tragically destroyed an estimated 90% of its collection of over 20 million artifacts, which included some of the most important historical, anthropological, and natural history items in the world.

However, in a powerful act of resilience, the museum is now in a new phase of life and is on the path to a full restoration. The National Museum of Brazil has partially reopened its doors as of July 2, 2025, allowing visitors to experience the ongoing rebirth. “Entre Gigantes” Exhibition: A temporary, free exhibition titled “Among Giants” is now open to the public. It showcases some of the iconic pieces that survived the fire, including the magnificent Bendegó meteorite, the largest ever found in Brazil.

Witness the Restoration: The exhibition gives you the unique opportunity to visit three restored rooms in the palace and see the progress of the reconstruction firsthand. You can also see a newly installed, 15.7-meter-long sperm whale skeleton suspended in the building’s new skylight. Rebuilding the Collection: The museum has been actively rebuilding its collection, with thousands of new pieces donated from all over the world.

The full restoration of the museum is a massive and complex project. The goal is to fully reopen the museum’s main building by 2026. The complete renovation of the entire complex is expected to be finished by the end of 2027. Visiting the museum now is more than a cultural experience; it is an act of supporting the preservation and reconstruction of Brazil’s history and heritage. It’s a testament to the fact that even after a great loss, something beautiful and new can rise from the ashes.