opened in 2006, two years before the installation of the first unit of pacifying police in rio de janeiro, the museu da maré is brazil's first museum located in a favela - was founded by the community and supported by the ministry of culture in order to preserve and disseminate the history and culture of the community of maré, or complexo da maré, a large group of favelas and housing developments in the zona norte of rio.

the community museum looks to reinforce a positive image of the district, outside the commonly discussed issues. it houses a permanent collection of photographs, documents, everyday objects and historical objects, many donated by the favela residents, that exhibit the historical, cultural, social and economic aspects of life in one of rio's largest such areas.