Praça Quinze de Novembro

Praça Quinze de Novembro, commonly called Praça XV, is a historic public square in the Centro district of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The square takes its name from 15 November, the date of the proclamation of the Brazilian Republic.

The square fronts the Paço Imperial, an 18th-century colonial-era building that now hosts cultural exhibits, and it contains the main ferry terminal serving crossings across Guanabara Bay to islands such as Paquetá. The open plaza and surrounding colonial-era facades make it a focal point for civic life and waterfront transport.

Historically the square has been a center of administration and public ceremony since the colonial period, with the Paço Imperial forming part of the civic complex that dates to the 1700s and 1800s. Over time the area has retained its role as both a transport hub and a site for cultural institutions.

The square sits on the western shore of Guanabara Bay in downtown Rio de Janeiro, adjacent to the waterfront and within walking distance of other central landmarks and transit links.

• Name origin: Named for the date of Brazil's proclamation of the republic on 15 November 1889; the square is a longstanding civic and transport hub in central Rio.
• Transport links: Best approached on foot from nearby downtown streets; the adjacent ferry terminal provides a direct link to Paquetá Island and other bay destinations.

What to See #

• Paço Imperial: An 18th-century colonial-era palace facing the square that now houses cultural exhibits and occasional public events.
• Ferry terminal: A working ferry terminal on the waterfront serving regular crossings across Guanabara Bay including services to Paquetá and nearby islands.