Duque De Caxias: Culture, Science and History

Duque De Caxias offers different ways to explore culture, science, history and nature. Digital star projections, a cultural centre with a theatre and library, a museum complex with archaeological significance, and an excursion to Cachoeira da Baleia each offer something different. To help plan your visit, start with a simple question: would you like to focus mainly on the cosmos, experience culture, or discover traces of earlier inhabitants?

Stars and changing exhibitions

At Planetário Marcos Pontes, digital projections bring the starry sky at different times of year into view. They also cover constellations from mythology, the formation of stars and the planets of the solar system. Those with a particular interest in astronomy will find a clearly defined range of topics here, from observing constellations to questions about how they formed.

The Museu Ciência e Vida offers a different range of experiences. It has temporary exhibitions, a planetarium, an auditorium and workshop spaces. The exhibitions are intended for people of all ages and with different interests. When a family has a range of interests, the changing displays can provide a shared point of interest. As the exhibitions are temporary, it is worth checking the current topics before visiting. The two science venues therefore differ mainly in their stated focus: one centres on digital depictions of the cosmos, while the other also offers changing exhibitions and workshop spaces.

Culture in the centre of Duque De Caxias

Centro Cultural Oscar Niemeyer is located at Praça do Pacificador in the centre of Duque De Caxias. It houses Teatro Municipal Raul Cortez and Biblioteca Municipal Governador Leonel de Moura Brizola. Teatro Raul Cortez is the largest performing arts venue in Duque De Caxias. The theatre and library thus give the cultural centre two different points of cultural interest. Its location on the square also provides a specific landmark for those who want to focus their trip on culture in the city centre.

Archaeological heritage and nature

Museu Vivo do São Bento is a museum complex and is considered the first Ecomuseu de Percurso in Baixada Fluminense. It is located in the São Bento neighbourhood, in the municipality of Duque De Caxias’s 2nd district. Sítio Arqueológico Sambaqui do São Bento is one of the sites visitors can see at Museu Vivo. The rules recorded in 2023 provide for visits by prior appointment and apply to students from public and private schools, research groups and tourists. Confirm your appointment before travelling.

The archaeological site is in the municipality’s 2nd district. Its mounds consist of mollusc shells, crustacean shells, and the bones of fish, birds and small mammals. These remains illustrate the way of life and everyday activities of the first inhabitants of Duque De Caxias, known as the Sambaqui peoples. Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Pilar, a listed heritage site, is also in the 2nd district. Archaeological evidence and protected heritage thus offer different perspectives on the past.

Parque Natural Municipal da Taquara is in the Taquara neighbourhood, in the municipality of Duque De Caxias’s 3rd district. During a municipal exploratory outing in 2025, participants took a hike rated easy to Cachoeira da Baleia; the outing began at Parque Natural Municipal da Taquara. For your own plans, it is advisable to check current conditions in advance.

Feira and choosing a holiday rental

Feira de Duque de Caxias was registered as intangible municipal heritage in 2015. The Forrobodó area offers northeastern Brazilian food and drinks, as well as live forró music; the specific programme may change. Alongside science and culture, regional food and music are another possible focus for your explorations.

The location details can help you choose a holiday rental: Centro Cultural Oscar Niemeyer is in the centre, Museu Vivo and Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Pilar are in the 2nd district, and the nature park is in the municipality’s 3rd district. Use these locations to guide your search, depending on whether culture in the centre, archaeological heritage or an outing in nature is the main focus of your trip.

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See the main travel overview: Rio De Janeiro.