The Amazonas Theatre and Theatro da Paz have been officially inscribed as a single cultural property, named "Theatres of the Amazon," thus becoming the first World Cultural Heritage Site in the North Region of Brazil.
International Recognition
Brazil has expanded its list of cultural properties recognized by Unesco with this new title. The Amazonas Theatre, located in Manaus, and Theatro da Paz, situated in Belém, received World Cultural Heritage status on Monday, the 27th. This announcement took place in Busan, South Korea, during the World Heritage Committee meeting at the entity's annual assembly.
Although they are in different cities, Unesco recognized them jointly as a single heritage due to their historical connection with the rubber cycle in the Amazon in the late 19th century. This recognition concludes a process initiated by the World Heritage Committee, which involved technical evaluations by independent bodies and analysis by the committee's 21 members, responsible for approving, altering, or rejecting the inscription.
Symbols of the Golden Age
The pair of magnificent theatres symbolizes the economic peak of the Amazon region during the 19th century, driven by rubber extraction, which fostered the growth of the metropolises of Manaus and Belém. The buildings were erected as a manifestation of the prestige of the local elite.
The Theatro da Paz, inaugurated in 1878, and the Amazonas Theatre, inaugurated in 1896, were among the first great opera houses in the Americas, attracting European companies to both cities. It was this shared trajectory that motivated Unesco to group them under a unified title, highlighting that both represent a project of regional modernization, blending European architectural influences with elements and references from the forest.
Details of Theatro da Paz
Considered a postcard of Belém, Theatro da Paz is seen as the pioneering entertainment venue of the Amazon and still dominates the landscape of Praça da República, a traditional spot in the city. Its elegance is notable from the entrance, with crystal chandeliers, noble wood mosaic flooring, Carrara marble busts of José de Alencar and Gonçalves Dias, and golden details, creating an atmosphere typical of the Belle Époque.
In the performance hall, the ceiling draws attention with a fresco illustrating Apollo and Aphrodite leading the muses of the arts to the Amazon. The space accommodates 880 people seated in vintage wooden chairs. Guided tours are available from Tuesday to Friday, from 9 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 5 pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays, from 9 am to 12 pm. The tour lasts approximately 45 minutes, and groups depart continuously. The tour cost is R$ 10, with tickets sold at the local box office; prior scheduling by email is required for closed groups of more than six people.
Features of the Amazonas Theatre
Located in Largo de São Sebastião, the Amazonas Theatre was designed to demonstrate the economic power of Manaus in the 19th century. Its structure includes elements such as scots, Carrara marble on columns and stairs, and chandeliers imported from Italy.
The main hall accommodates 684 spectators and stands out for its concave ceiling adorned with four paintings from France, representing music, dance, tragedy, and opera, in addition to honoring the Brazilian composer Carlos Gomes. The columns display masks that pay tribute to figures such as Mozart, Verdi, Rossini, Molière, and Aristophanes. Additionally, the Noble Hall exhibits the painting "The Glorification of the Fine Arts of the Amazon," by Domenico de Angelis, dated 1899.
Guided tours take place from Tuesday to Saturday, from 9 am to 5 pm, and on Sundays and holidays, from 9 am to 1 pm, with departures scheduled every half hour. Admission costs R$ 20, sold at the box office, but Manaus residents have free access upon proof of residence. The show schedule is published monthly on the Cultura do AM website, managed by the State Secretariat of Culture and Creative Economy of Amazonas.
