Brazil: Petropolis

70km inland from Rio de Janeiro lies Petropolis aka the Imperial City. The city was planed, built, and named after Pedro II, the Emperor of Brazil, to serve as the imperial capital for the five months of the summer season (escaping the yellow fever of Rio de Janeiro’s lowlands). German engineers and architects were brought in to plan and built the city with CE real palaces with extensive ground, a grand cathedral and all surrounded by a network of moats, canals, and bridges. Among the top attractions are the Imperial Museum of Brazil with lavish interior (no photography), Palacio Rio Negro (one of the summer homes of the President of Brazil), Cathedral of Petropolis (where Pedro II is entombed), the made out of glass Crystal Palace, Casa da Princesa Isabel, Bohemian brewery and more.