Catedral de Sao Pedro de Alcantara, Petropolis

Admire the tall, elaborate Gothic Revival archivolts of Catedral de Sao Pedro de Alcantara, final resting place of the imperial family. Elegant, 19 m (62 ft) tall vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows, and a 70 m (230 ft) spire completed in the 1960s make this church a landmark of the erstwhile capital of Brazil. Built from 1884 to 1925, the cathedral houses the tombs of the royal family, carved in white Carrara marble: look for the effigies of Dom Pedro II, the empress, and their children, buried here in 1921. Before you visit Petropolis, use our trip planner to discover what you can do and see there.