Recently discovered, an archaeological site in the gardens of Palácio de Cristal, in Petrópolis, in the mountain region of Rio de Janeiro, is part of the historical and cultural heritage affected by the strong storm that hit the city on February 15th. More than 200 people died in the tragedy.
Located in the central region of the imperial city, Palácio de Cristal is one of the main tourist attractions in Petrópolis. The archaeological research work investigated the existence of historical material on the site and was part of the renovation of the palace, built in the 19th century for cultivation and horticultural exhibitions.
The renovation began in October 2019, but services in the gardens area were paralyzed in February 2020 by order of Iphan (Institute of National Historic and Artistic Heritage), which requested archaeological monitoring.
After approval by the federal agency, the archaeological work began in May 2021 and, before the storm, it was in the final phase of monitoring the engineering work.
It is not yet possible to measure the damage to the archaeological site. Iphan technicians carry out inspections to assess the impact of the rains on the local cultural heritage.
“We will have more accurate information in the coming days and weeks, as the inspections proceed,” the federal agency said in a statement.
So far, surveys have not been conclusive due to debris and mud on the city’s streets.
Grifo Arqueologia, hired to work in the palace gardens, awaits the possibility of returning safely to assess the situation.
“We believe that the excavated part has not suffered damage,” he told sheet the company’s director, Giovani Scaramella.
According to him, the structural remains found were in the lowest part of the excavated areas, resting directly on the ground. “Because they are in excavated areas, the action of the current was less,” he said. “The open areas were small so the possibility of damage is less.”
Among the remains of the old garden are partitions for flowerbeds and walkways and cast iron pipes.
In another stage of the archaeological research, pieces such as pieces of English crockery used by the 19th century elite, horseshoes, glass and a porcelain pipe were found.
Inaugurated in 1884 by Princess Isabel, Palácio de Cristal is listed by IPHAN. It was built in the workshops of St. Sauver-les-Arras, in France, by order of Count D’Eu, husband of Princess Isabel and president of the Agricultural Society of Petrópolis. The exhibition space was set up in Koblenz square and opened at a ball with the presence of the Brazilian imperial court.
According to Iphan, Petrópolis has around 1,000 listed properties and another 10,000 in surrounding areas, which are also monitored by the agency so that interventions do not interfere with the visibility or volume of the preserved assets.
Founded by Dom Pedro 1º and urbanized by Dom Pedro 2º, Petrópolis is called an “open-air museum” by Iphan. The city was the seat of the imperial court in the summer seasons and is considered one of the main cultural heritage sites in the country.
Casa da Princesa Isabel and Palácio Rio Negro are among the historic buildings affected by the strong storm. Located on the banks of the Quitandinha river, Casa da Princesa Isabel is the historic property that suffered the most apparent damage. A wall fell and hit an exhibition about Germanic colonization in the city. Carried away by the current, a car invaded the garden.
At Palácio Rio Negro, in the Historic Center, the ground floor was flooded and landslides reached the upper part of the land, but without damaging the main building.
