Parque Nacional Chaco | Chaco

The Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi is a research institution and museum located in Belém, Pará, Brazil.

It is dedicated to the study of Amazonian biodiversity and culture.

Visual Characteristics

The museum complex comprises several buildings constructed primarily from concrete and brick, with some older structures featuring colonial-era architectural elements. The main exhibition halls are typically painted in neutral tones. The grounds include extensive botanical gardens with a variety of tropical flora, a zoological park housing Amazonian fauna, and open green spaces. The zoological park enclosures are designed to mimic natural habitats, utilizing rock formations, water features, and dense vegetation.

Location & Access Logistics

The museum is situated at 482, Avenida Magalhães Barata, in the Nazaré neighborhood of Belém. It is approximately 3 kilometers west of the city center. Access is via Avenida Magalhães Barata, a major urban thoroughfare. Public parking is available on-site, though capacity can be limited during peak hours. Several municipal bus lines serve the area, including lines 446 (Estação São Jorge/Ver-o-Peso) and 457 (Maracangalha/Pres. Vargas), with stops located within a short walking distance of the museum entrance.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Founded in 1866 by Domingos Soares Ferreira Penna, the institution was initially named the Museu Paraense. Its primary purpose was to collect and study the natural and anthropological resources of the Amazon region. The museum was renamed in honor of Swiss naturalist Émil Goeldi in 1902. The site itself is part of the Amazon rainforest biome, with the botanical garden preserving a section of this ecosystem within the urban environment.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can explore the zoological park to observe native Amazonian animals, including jaguars, manatees, and various primate species. The botanical garden offers pathways through diverse plant collections, including a significant collection of palm trees and medicinal plants. The anthropological and zoological exhibition halls display artifacts and specimens related to the region's indigenous peoples and wildlife. Educational programs and temporary exhibitions are also periodically offered.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available within the museum buildings and near the zoological park. Shaded areas are provided by trees in the botanical garden and by covered walkways in the zoological park. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally consistent within the museum grounds. Food vendors are not typically located within the museum itself, but several commercial establishments are situated along Avenida Magalhães Barata and surrounding streets.

Best Time to Visit

The best time of day for photography, particularly in the botanical garden, is in the morning between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM, when the light is softer. The driest months in Belém are typically from July to December, offering more favorable conditions for outdoor exploration. The zoological park is accessible year-round. No specific tide requirements apply.

Facts & Legends

The museum's zoological park is home to a notable collection of manatees, a species facing conservation challenges in the wild. A local anecdote suggests that the large Samaúma tree within the botanical garden is inhabited by spirits, a common belief associated with such ancient trees in Amazonian folklore.

Nearby Landmarks

• Basílica Santuário de Nossa Senhora de Nazaré (0.3km East)
• Teatro da Paz (1.2km Southeast)
• Complexo Turístico Ver-o-Peso (3.5km East)
• Forte do Presépio (3.7km East)
• Estação das Docas (4.0km East)