Instituto de Pesquisa e Memória Presto Novos

Rio de Janeiro


When Mercedes Guimarães was doing construction work on her house in 1996, workers uncovered huge quantities of human fragments. After discussions with a historian, she learned the site had been the burial place of enslaved Africans. She halted work and turned her house into this small museum, cultural center and memorial to all the captive people brought to Brazil. The displays are quite powerful and provide a context for what life was like for newly arrived Africans in the 18th and 19th centuries.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Rio de Janeiro attractions

1. AquaRio

0.23 MILES

The largest aquarium in South America is Rio's newest major downtown attraction. You can get an up-close look at some 350 different species (there are…

2. Cais do Valongo

0.35 MILES

Unearthed in 2011, the Valongo Wharf was the first arrival point for an estimated 900,000 enslaved peoples brought to Brazil after long, harrowing voyages…

3. Cidade do Samba

0.35 MILES

Located north of Centro, near the port, Samba City is actually made up of 14 large buildings where the top Rio schools assemble their Carnaval floats. It…

4. Boulevard Olímpico

0.46 MILES

Rio's formerly derelict port district has been reborn as a wide promenade lined with massive street art. A handful of renowned artists have painted…

5. Museu de Arte do Rio

0.7 MILES

Looming large over Praça Mauá, the MAR is an icon for the rebirth of Rio's once derelict port. The huge museum hosts wide-ranging exhibitions that focus…

6. Campo de Santana

0.72 MILES

Campo de Santana is a pleasant green space that, on September 7, 1822, was the scene of the proclamation of Brazil's independence from Portugal by Emperor…

7. Morro da Conceição

0.73 MILES

One of Rio's oldest neighborhoods, this pretty area feels like a tiny slice of Portugal, with its old shuttered houses, quiet cobblestone streets and…

8. Fábrica Bhering

0.77 MILES

Inaugurated in 1880, Fábrica Bhering was the first chocolate factory in Brazil. It is now a stunning multistory, multipurpose art space and cultural…