in the palace, the imperial chapel is now home to a small but rich botanical garden, called the horto botânico.

shortly after the end of the imperial era, with the proclamation of the republic, the quinta became a park open to the general public, and an important part of the daily life of rio de janeiro. 

with the new role of the quinta, the museu nacional started a new phase of adaptation of the park and created the beautiful jardim terraço (terrace garden) and the  jardins italianos (italian gardens), under the supervision of the architect and landscaper luiz reys.