Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil - CCBB Rio de Janeiro

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil, Rio de Janeiro, is a distinguished cultural centre located at Rua Primeiro de Março, number 66, in the historic downtown of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Housed in a magnificent neoclassical building, itself a piece of architectural heritage, the centre stands as a vibrant hub of cultural life in Brazil’s iconic city. As visitors step through its doors, they are immersed in a world where art, cinema, theatre, music, literature, and memory converge in inspiring harmony.

About the Museum

Originally inaugurated in 1906 as the headquarters of the Commercial Association of Rio de Janeiro, the building that now hosts the cultural centre was later acquired by Banco do Brasil in the 1920s and served as its headquarters until 1960. Launched as the first of the Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil network on 12 October 1989, the transformation preserved its elegant architectural features—ornate columns, marble staircases, and a splendid rotunda—while introducing modern cultural facilities.

The cultural centre occupies approximately 15 046 square metres of its total 19 243 square‑metre site. Within its gracious walls, visitors can enjoy a rich variety of spaces:

Exhibition rooms on the first and second floors showcasing visual arts,
A 110‑seat cinema on the ground floor and a 53‑seat video screening room in the mezzanine,
Three theatres—one on the ground floor with 175 seats and two on the second floor (one with 158 seats and another flexible space for alternative performances),
A 90‑seat auditorium on the fourth floor,
And a library on the fifth floor.

The library, established in 1931, has evolved into a significant resource for researchers and literature lovers alike. It houses hundreds of thousands of volumes across diverse fields, with dedicated reading areas, sections for special and rare collections, and spaces for young readers. Innovative accessibility tools—such as OrCam MyEye devices—ensure visitors with visual impairments can enjoy full and autonomous access to the collection.

Equally compelling is the Arquivo Histórico do Banco do Brasil and Memória CCBB, preserving two centuries of institutional history. Among its holdings are the original documents for the founding of Banco do Brasil from 1808, meeting minutes, photographs, plans, and audiovisual archives of the centre’s programming since its inception in 1989.

The centre also offers warmly welcoming services: free entry to all exhibitions, ticket availability both in person or online with priority access for scheduled visits, and physical accessibility—ramps, elevators, handrails, and trained staff—ensuring inclusive access to all visitors.

Beyond exhibitions and archives, the centre enhances visitor experience with unique spaces. Mão Brasileira, introduced to the centre in August 2022, features about 6 000 items of artisanal Brazilian art, design, jewelry, books, toys, and artisanal crafts by indigenous and quilombola collectives, celebrating cultural diversity and fostering collective memory through art. The Espaço Conceito Banco do Brasil blends banking services with cultural interactivity: areas for coworking, information, maker‑labs, entrepreneur showcases, and a café by the historic Confeitaria Colombo, making each visit both practical and delightful. Additionally, the Restaurante Lilia, offering seasonal, artisanal, sustainable cuisine from regional producers, invites guests to enjoy thoughtful meals in an elegant setting.

Current offerings include exhibitions such as “Corpo Manifesto” and “Renata Tassinari – Frestas”, as well as a film series honoring the cinema of Hirokazu Kore‑eda—demonstrating the centre’s lively and varied cultural calendar.

Interesting Facts

The cultural centre is home to approximately 15 046 square metres of cultural space within a 19 243 square‑metre historical building.
It was inaugurated as a cultural centre on 12 October 1989, becoming the first in the CCBB network.
The library boasts a collection of hundreds of thousands of volumes, with special reading rooms and rare collections, supported by advanced accessibility tools like the OrCam MyEye.
The Arquivo Histórico holds documents dating back to 1808, including founding statutes and registers, capturing more than two centuries of institutional memory.
Mão Brasileira brings nearly 6 000 handcrafted items from across Brazil, promoting indigenous, quilombola, and designer artisanship and cultural memory.
The Espaço Conceito Banco do Brasil uniquely merges banking services, coworking, maker‑laboratory and café experiences—including a beloved unit of Confeitaria Colombo.
The Restaurante Lilia, located on the ground floor and mezzanine, presents seasonal, artisanal cuisine rooted in regional and sustainable agriculture.
All exhibitions at the centre are free to the public, and tickets can be obtained either in person or online with preferred timed admissions.

Photo Gallery

Physical Location

Contact Details

Phone: +55 213 808 2020

Website: ccbb.com.br/rio-de-janeiro/

Facebook: facebook.com/ccbb.rj/

Conclusion

The Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil, Rio de Janeiro stands as a splendid testament to cultural investment, architectural preservation, and social inclusion. Its harmonious blend of striking historical design and state‑of‑the‑art facilities invites every visitor—from art connoisseurs and cinema buffs to culinary enthusiasts and families—to find something to love. Whether you come to explore vivid exhibitions, delve into profound archives, browse rare literature, enjoy a thoughtful meal, or simply soak in the architectural marvels of the rotunda and marble staircases, the centre promises an enriching and welcoming experience. It truly is a cultural beacon in the heart of Rio de Janeiro, ready to inspire and delight all who cross its threshold.