Monument to the Independence of Brazil

The Monument to the Independence of Brazil (Monumento à Independência do Brasil) is a granite and bronze monument located in the Independence Park in São Paulo, Brazil. It is also known as the Ipiranga Monument (Monumento do Ipiranga) or the Altar of the Fatherland (Altar da Pátria). The monument is located on the banks of the Ipiranga Brook, on the historic site where prince regent Pedro (later emperor Pedro I) proclaimed the independence of the country on 7 September 1822.

The monument was designed and built by Italian sculptor Ettore Ximenes (1855–1926) and Italian architect Manfredo Manfredi (1859–1927) to celebrate the first centennial of the Brazilian Independence in 1922.

The crypt
A crypt and chapel is located inside the monument. The crypt was built in 1972 to house the remains of emperor Pedro I (also king of Portugal as Pedro IV) and his wives, Maria Leopoldina of Austria and Amélie of Leuchtenberg. The crypt is consecrated as a Catholic chapel, as demanded by the then head of the Brazilian Imperial Family, Pedro Henrique of Orléans-Braganza. He agreed to allow the transfer of the remains of his ancestors to the monument on the condition that the place be consecrated as a Catholic place of burial, with a Catholic altar, where masses could be held. Pedro I and Amélie of Leuchtenberg's remains were transferred from the Royal Pantheon of the House of Braganza in Lisbon; while Maria Leopoldina was moved from the Imperial Mausoleum of St Anthony's Convent in Rio de Janeiro.