The former residence of businessman and patron Raymundo Ottoni de Castro Maya (1894–1968) houses the headquarters of the Museu Chácara do Céu, which combines an artistic collection of inestimable value with modern architecture integrated with nature, offering one of the most spectacular views of Guanabara Bay and Downtown Rio.
Image description: This is a photograph of a museum called "Museu Chácara do Céu". The image shows a modern structure with a balcony suspended over a paved stone path. On the left, there is a concrete wall with green plants growing in the cracks. In the center, the balcony has a golden railing and large windows that allow a clear view of the interior. On the right, there are tall trees and dense green foliage. The stone path leads into the museum, where more plants and trees are arranged along the route.Imagem retirada de https://pt.foursquare.com/v/ch%C3%A1cara-do-c%C3%A9u/4b058725f964a520088222e3
Located in the heart of Santa Teresa, the museum occupies the highest point of a 25,000-square-meter property known as Chácara do Céu since the 19th century. The neighborhood of Santa Teresa developed around the convent of the same name in the 18th century, and over the course of the 19th and early 20th centuries, it became the preferred address of Rio's elite, who sought fresh air and a milder climate, far from the bustle of the port.
The current house, opened in 1957, replaced the family's old eclectic mansion. The modernist design by Wladimir Alves de Souza was conceived to frame the landscape, creating a fluid dialogue between interior and exterior. The gardens, a spectacle in their own right, bear the signature of Roberto Burle Marx, who used native flora to create pathways that wind along the hillside, linking the house to Parque das Ruínas.
Image description: This is a painting of an individual seated in a chair, with a red and blue background. The figure is wearing a white t-shirt and green striped pants. The feet are bare, resting on a red square object. The floor is blue with black lines, forming a geometric pattern.Pintura de Candido Portinari "O sapateiro de Brodowski"
The museum's collection reflects Castro Maya's intellectual curiosity and comprises around 22,000 pieces. Among the highlights are:
Brasiliana Collection: The largest private collection of Jean-Baptiste Debret's works in the world, essential for understanding everyday life in Imperial Brazil.
Modernism: Works by masters such as Candido Portinari, Di Cavalcanti, and Heitor dos Prazeres.
European Art: Works by Modigliani, Picasso, and Miró.Furniture and Rarities: The museum's library holds rare volumes, while the dining room preserves the original furniture, allowing visitors to imagine the cosmopolitan lifestyle of its former owner.
Image description: This is a painting depicting three women in a market scene. The woman on the left is lifting a basket of fruit above her head. She wears a red apron and a headscarf. In front of her, on the ground, there is a large tray filled with assorted fruits. On the right side, a woman is seated with her knees bent, resting her chin on her hand. She wears a white headscarf and a blue skirt. In the background, there is a column and a wall with windows.Quadro de Jean Baptiste Debret
The museum also went down in Brazilian police history because of the daring robbery that occurred on Carnival Friday in 2006, when five works by Picasso, Monet, Matisse, and Dalí were taken by criminals who took advantage of the bustle of the Carmelitas street parade to flee. Unfortunately, the works have not yet been recovered.
Useful Information
Address: Rua Murtinho Nobre, 93 – Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro – RJ (Easily accessible via the iconic Santa Teresa Tram or by taxi/ride-hailing app).
Official Website: https://www.gov.br/museus/pt-br/museus-ibram/museus-castro-maya
Opening Hours: Daily (except tuesdays, sundays and holidays), from 10 pm to 4.30 pm.
Admission: Free.
Accessibility: Due to Santa Teresa's topography and the original structure of the 1950s house, the museum has some staircases, but it has an elevator for access to the upper floors.
Tip: A ticket to Museu Chácara do Céu also grants admission to the Museu do Açude (in Alto da Boa Vista) if visited within a 7-day period.
