[1][2] Construction of the palace began in the mid-16th century under Tomé de Sousa, the first governor-general of Brazil, to be used as the center of Portuguese administration.

It was bombed on January 10, 1912, during the attack of the city of Salvador, under the command of President Hermes da Fonseca.

The building suffered significant damage and its rich collection of rare books was completely destroyed.

[2] Reconstruction of the palace began under Governor Antônio Muniz Sodré de Aragão in 1919.

[2] The Rio Branco Palace covers 4,500 square metres (48,000 sq ft).