Palácio Rio Branco to be Restored to its Original Splendor
The announced refurbishment of Palácio Rio Branco (1895-1896) by City Hall will highlight its historical significance in Curitiba’s history by preserving the original characteristics of the building. The restorer will open the walls and leave some of the original drawings visible. The drawings are a composition of flowers that complement the ceiling painting and walls of the Palace, which still reflect the original features. A team is working on the facade to regenerate the colors of each section because the photographic records at the time of its construction were in black and white.
“The restoration is important from a historical perspective since the building holds the political memory of the state and served as the home to the Legislative Assembly until 1957. Rua Barão do Rio Branco, where it is situated, was also the most important commercial street in the city,” João Cláudio Derosso, said. “In this restoration we are trying our best to return it to its original state.”
The flooring will be restored according to the initial wooden flooring plans. “Underneath there were parquet floorboards, but the original flooring is a rhombus pattern woodwork in a mosaic,” he concluded. On the roof, all the tiles have to be replaced. It was also necessary to change the woodwork, but the wood used in the structure was treated and maintained. In the basement of the building, which was used for the meetings of the committees, the arches of the structure will continue to be on display. The windows of this structure were removed to be restored and, like the other details, should be restored.
The estimated cost of the refurbishment is R$ 860,000. Derosso highlighted that the resources being used for the restoration originate from savings made by the Municipal Legislative body. “The creation of the Fund in 2008 enabled the refurbishment without burdening the municipal budget,” Derosso added.
{Photo by Andressa Katriny}
