The Norman-style Palace, fashionable in the first half of the century, was built in 1944 to be the largest casino-hotel in South America, with 50,000 m² of built area. The electrical energy consumed on site alone was enough to light a city of 60,000 inhabitants. The American Dorothy Draper, who created film sets at the time, was responsible for the entire decoration of the mansion, which draws attention to the huge bronze chandeliers with crystal pendants. Its ballrooms could hold up to 10,000 people. The dome of the old casino is the second largest in the world, at 50 m high and 120 m in diameter, second only to the dome of St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome.

The building has a Mechanized Theater, with three revolving stages and capacity for 2,000 people. The tiles on the front lake bottom reproduce the map of Brazil, with the lighthouse on Marajó Island. With the extinction of gambling in the country, by decree of May 30, 1946, the Palace remained only a luxury hotel. Years later, its apartments were gradually sold and today it includes an apartment complex and a cultural center of the Social Service of Commerce (Sesc), which promotes exhibitions and cultural events. Entry is free, and Sesc also offers guided tours. It is an unmissable experience for anyone going to Petrópolis.

Where it is:

How to get there: by Taxi, Car, Bus. (From the Petrópolis Bus Station, visitors can take a taxi, or app car to the Palace. There is also a bus to the historic center (the urban terminal is inside the Bus Station itself).