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Institutional

The design of the Brazilian Maritime Museum began in 2016 when the re-urbanization project for the waterfront area of downtown Rio de Janeiro highlighted both the drawing power of the Brazilian Navy Cultural Site and the need to create an institution aligned with the ongoing modernization of the area and its surroundings. The approval of the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) by the United Nations General Assembly in 2017 gave further momentum to the project.

In addition to serving the growing number of visitors to the Brazilian Navy Cultural Site, the new museum aims to provide the city with a modern institution that celebrates both Carioca and Brazilian maritime heritage.

Thanks to its strategic location, MuMa will become part of a prominent network of museums and cultural centers along the revitalized port area, positioned at the very heart of this newly opened and reimagined path along the historic shoreline of downtown Rio de Janeiro.

This project is an initiative of the Directorate of Historical Heritage and Documentation of the Brazilian Navy (DPHDM) in partnership with the Cultural Department of the Sailor Support Center (DCAMN) and the Foundation of Sea Studies (FEMAR).

Fotografia: É dia, vista de cima. Uma multidão caminha em várias direções. No centro da foto, um homem branco, cabelos grisalhos e camisa preta, carrega uma réplica de um barco sobre a cabeça. A embarcação tem três andares, pintada de branco, vermelho e preto. Sobre o convés superior, há uma pequena imagem religiosa com flores e tecidos coloridos. Na lateral do barco: "O PAGADOR DE PROMESSAS".
Luiz Braga. Pious at the Círio de Nazaré, 2007

Mission

The Brazilian Maritime Museum seeks to engage the public in valuing and promoting maritime awareness, representing the diverse voices and social actors that shape the history and memory of Brazil’s seas and rivers.

Fotografia: Sob um céu nublado, uma floresta com árvores altas ao fundo. Um rio coberto por densa vegetação verde, dois homens navegam pequenas embarcações de madeira. À direita, um homem em pé na canoa que está parcialmente inclinada, usa chapéu de palha e calça cinza. Estende o braço direito em direção a uma vara de madeira na água e apoia a mão esquerda no remo parcialmente submerso. Abaixo, sentado de costas na proa de outra canoa, um homem, usa bermuda cinza e segura um remo.
Ricardo Oliveira. Boy and Pirarucu fisherman, Tefé, AM, 2017

Vision

To be recognized as a leading institution for reflection on the importance of seas and rivers in promoting sustainable development and affirming cultural diversity in contemporary Brazil.

Who We Are

The Directorate of Historical Heritage and Documentation of the Brazilian Navy (DPHDM)

Headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, the DPHDM is dedicated to preserving and promoting the historical, documentary, and cultural heritage of the Brazilian Navy. Its mission is safeguarding the Navy’s memory and fostering maritime awareness throughout society. The DPHDM oversees several key cultural institutions, including the Naval Museum, Fiscal Island, the Navy’s Historical Archive, the Navy Library, the Navy Cultural Site, and the Letras Marítimas Publishing House.

https://www.marinha.mil.br/dphdm/

Vice Admiral Gilberto Santos Kerr – Director of the DPHDM

Born in Rio de Janeiro, he graduated from the Naval School in 1987. He commanded the Auxiliary Ship “Trindade”, the Eastern Naval Patrol Group, the Combat Carrier Landing Ship “Almirante Saboia”, the 1st Fleet Division, the 7th Naval District and the Higher War College (Escola Superior de Guerra). He also served at the US Naval Academy (USNA) and UNIFIL Maritime Operations Chief.  He studied for a post-MBA in International Management at the UFRJ’s COPPEAD Institute, and the Combined Strategic Intelligence Training Program at the Defense Warfare College (DIA – Defense Intelligence Agency). Currently, he serves as the Director of the Directorate of Historical Heritage and Documentation of the Brazilian Navy (DPHDM), where he oversees preserving and promoting the Navy’s historical, documentary, and cultural heritage.

Institutional Partners

Cultural Department of the Sailor Support Center (DCAMN)

Dedicated to promoting cultural and recreational initiatives, the DCAMN is a non-profit civil association governed by public law and recognized as an organization of public interest. Since 1998, it has been engaged in cultural projects aimed at preserving and strengthening maritime awareness, as well as promoting naval culture to broader audiences.

www.abrigo.org.br

The Foundation of Sea Studies (FEMAR)

Established in 1966 through an initiative of the Naval Club and other sea-related institutions—such as Petrobras, the Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation of the Brazilian Navy, and the Union of Maritime Navigation Companies—FEMAR is a private law foundation dedicated to advancing maritime knowledge. Since its inception, this foundation has supported, financed, and coordinated research, publications, projects, plans, programs, courses, studies, and technical assistance to disseminate knowledge related to the maritime environment.

https://fundacaofemar.org.br/portalwordpress/

Brazilian Maritime Museum Advisory Council

Adélia Borges
Amyr Klink
Ana Lúcia Costalunga
Armando de Senna Bittencourt
Joselito Guerra Câmara
Lúcia Basto
Luiz Alberto Oliveira
Luiz Carlos Krug
Marcelo Mattos Araújo
Márcio Augusto Freitas de Meira
Milton Gurán

Standing Advisory Persons/Committees

Paulo Knauss
Margareth de Moraes | MM Museologia e Projetos Culturais

Architectural Design

Rodrigo Quintela Messina
Francisco Rivas
Martin Benavidez
Escritórios Messina | Rivas e Ben-Avid Studio