After a few months after the independence of Brazil, there was an idea to build a monument on the right place of proclamation, on the banks of Ipiranga River. However, due to lack of budget and agreement, only 68 years later, this idea became real when this monument building was opened in 1890. In 1884, Italian engineer Tommaso Gaudenzio Bezzi was called to be the architect.

The eclectic architecture style was ‘in’ in Europe and, from the end of XIX century, marking architecture change in São Paulo. Bezzi used a Renascence palace model in a more simple way.

Today, the museum is one of the icons in São Paulo and it is important for both the building itself and the huge part of Brazilian history housed here. A 125,000 item collection, including furniture, clothing and utensils of historic people, like ‘bandeirantes’ (explorers), emperors and ‘coffee barons’.

There are also collections of blades, 1932 Constitutional Revolution pieces and a room for Santos Dumont, father of Aviation, with models of their devices and personal objects. Additionally, the museum has a 100,000 book library, a Historic Documentation Center with 40,000 manuscripts and laboratory for conservation and restoration of pieces and documents. A beautiful garden surrounds the building and local population always go there for gym or play with children.

Courses, seminars and other events are also organized. The museum provides services to community, receiving institutions, researchers, teachers, students and general public; consultancy is also offered, as well as distribution of their publishing.

A signal of love is how people protect the museum. Founded in September 1, 1995, a non profitable organization, Sociedade Amigos do Museu Paulista (Sampa) organizes and promote development and improvement of activities at Museu Paulista da Universidade de São Paulo, as well as contribute to research, publishing, trust and public attendance. Working with the population is one of their main goals.

Service:
São Paulo Museum
Parque da Independência - Ipiranga - Southern Area
Phone: (5511) 2065-8000
Website: www.mp.usp.br
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Time: Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00 am to 05:00 pm 
Price: R$ 4; R$ 2 for students. Free for children under six, elderly people and people with special needs and also on the first and third Sunday of the month. Access to garden and monument is free