the museu histórico nacional (national history museum), created in 1922 by president pessoa to commemorate the centenary of the independence of brazil, houses a collection of over 348,515 items, including the largest numismatic collection of latin america.

the museum, with over 25 permanent and non-permanent exhibitions, is considered one of brazil's most important cultural institutions in terms of the preservation of the memory of the country's history, from its founding to the present day. the museum is located on a site of a former military fort, forte de são tiago da misericórdia, and former prison for slaves, of which now only the foundations remain.