The Amazon Theater

 The imposing Amazonas theater face the square and is without a doubt the most important landmark of the city. It is a symbol of years of luxury and power of the rubber boom, between 1890-1910. Many true and false false strories are told about the bilding. Its construction characterizes a period when the latex of the rubber tapper bought everything. It was the rubber boom!

 The construction project dates from around 1881. In 1883 the governor of the state approved the plans of the portuguese Office engineering and architecture, From Lisbon. Construction began, in 1884, in a former manioc field located near the embankment of the Espirito Santo Creek. Today this area is Eduardo Ribeiro Avenue.

The Italian firm Rossi and Brothers undertook the construction of the project, but their conntrct was canceled due to the slowness and irregularity of their work. Construction then remained paralyzed, in 1886, and would only start up again in 1893, when Eduardo Ribeiro -  The governor at that time - Took it upon himself to import the raw material, workers, artists and decorators, because of the lack of construction material and manpower here.

 The  iron framework was imported from Europe. The varnished from alsace ( the French region where the roofs of some homes are traditionally covered with similar titles) and were packed in nets during the trip across the Atlantic.

 The Majestic dome, with its contours forming the Brazilian flag, in its actual colors, was possible to see from a distance by boats docking in the city and so reminding them that they were in Brazilian territory.

Rio Negro Palace

At the time of the rubber boom this stately home was the private residence of the German Waldemar Schotz, Considered to have been on of the rubber barons. 

The mixture of styles observed, not unlike a fairy-tale castle, was an identifying characteristic of the so called “nouveauriche”, during the period of the rubber boom. Their styles flaunted their wealth through their eccentric looking properties.

For many years this stately home housed the State Gouvernment. A great deal of remodeling has occurred that has since deprived the building of some of its distinct characteristic.

The Municipal Market “Adolpho Lisboa”

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The Municipal Market is one of the liveliest places in Manaus. Especially in the morning. A variety of distinct buildings make up the complex. The façade of the building dates from 1906. The Municipal market was managed for many years (as were many other undertakings during the rubber boom) by the English firm “The Manaos Markets and Slaughterhouse Limited”. When the lease contract ended, in 1924, Ribeiro Junior, the governor at the time,incorporated the complex into the Municipal estate.

In the food shops there is a concentration of products consumed regionally. For example, there are various kinds of manioc flour, beans, dried meat, grains etc. In the handcraft stores there is a bit of everything – From objects used by the local population, such as bottle gourds used as bowls, oars, winnowing baskets, baskets in general, straw hats etc. You will also find popular tourist souvenirs like Indian-made necklaces, a variety of wood and ceramic objects , t-shirts etc.

In every direction of the pavilion and surrounding area there are people selling fruits and vegetables. It is possible to find delicious seasonal tropic fruits like “cupuacu”(a plant from the cocoa tree family), “graviola”, “jambo”(fruit from the jambeiro tree, native to India), the “jenipapo”(a regional fruit also used by the Indians as a black body paint), the “tucuma”(a palm fruit), “pupunha”(another palm fruit) and countless others, especially those derived from palm trees.

Inside, there is a place that deserves special attention: the one where medicinal plants of the Amazon are sold. These plants are sought after by residents of Manaus and increasingly by the national and international pharmacopoela. The medicines are sold as oil, tree bark. Dried leaves, roots and seeds. See the chart showing some of the more interesting plants.

 In the fish pavilion its possible to find the most consumed fish in the region:

 The “Tucunaré” – easily recognized thanks to a design on its tall resembling an eye. Used in a fish soup called “caldeirada” that is simply delicious.

• The “Tambaqui” – an enormous fish with teeth resembling those of carnivores. Basically they feed on fruit. Excellent to be served grilled.
• The “Pirarucu” – a giant scaled fish with meat resembling codfish.It is consumed fresh or salt-treated. It is prepared in a variety of ways. Its durable scales can be used as fingernail files!
• The “Jaraqui” – a popular fish with a striped tall. It is popularly said that “ who ever eats jaraqui wil never leave here!”.

 These fish are the most famose but there are also a lot of other local fish.

 In the market you will also find a place for meat and one specially for turtles. The commercialization of turtles is prohibited by the authorities, but unfortunately they still show up on the menus of the more privileged on special occasions.

The Palace of Justice ( The Courthouse)

 

 

The construction of the courthouse started by the English firm Moers & Morton, in 1894, during the administration of the Governor Eduardo Ribeiro. It was completed in 1900 by a Brazilian firm, during the administration of the Governor José Cardosa Ramalho Júnior.  Over the years the building has kept its function as the seat of Judicial Power. The two-storey building has had its external appearance carefully preserved for more than one century.

The style of construction was inspired by architecture of the Second French Empire. Added to this were elements reminiscent of English neo-classic architecture. The interior is done in baroque with a profusion of decorations.

Since it is a government department, visits are fairly restricted.

The Manaus Harbour

Many years went by Manaus, then rich in rubber, provided a port commensurate with the city´s level of commerce and power. There were huge problems with the mooring of ships, that continued up to the end of the 19^th century. During the flood season the operation was facilitated with ramps, used to load and unload passengers and cargo. When the waters receded, however, the problems were substantially greater since ships were anchored far offshore, making it necessary to use canoes to transfer cargo and passengers.

In 1902, the firm B. Rymkiewicz won the bidding opened by the government. The contract guaranteed use of the port for sixty years, but it also stipulated that – in addition to constructing the pier – the firm would also be required to erect the building for the administration of customs.  Rymkiewicz  quickly transferred the contract to the English firm Manaos Harbour Ltd. This firm then went on to construct the pier, access bridges and everything else. The construction work lasted until 1912.

The port was then operated by  Manaos Harbour Ltd, until 1963, at which time the firm declared they were no longer able to fulfill the contract´s demands and requirements. They ended up cancelling the agreement with the government and transferring the responsibilities to the appropriate Brazilian administration.

At the end of the British control the Free Zone of Manaus begun, with the objective to promote regional progress by integrating Manaus, commercially and industrially, with the rest of Brazil and the world.

The Indian Museum

The Indian museum was founded in 1952, through the iniciative  of the Salesian nun Mother Madalena Mazzone. The objective was to provide information concerning the culture of the indigenous peoples of the upper Negro river and Amazonas river, where the Salesians nuns have several missionary centers. In 1962, the museum acquired it owns building. The complex consists of six rooms with permanent displays:

Room 1: Social organization, attire and adornments

Room 2: Pottery

Room 3: Plaitwork, hunting and fishing

Room 4: Habits and customs

Room 5: Beliefs and religion

Room 6: Cultural adaptation

The  museum also has a store with an assortment of souvenirs.