The Fazenda Imperial de Santa Cruz, a little-known cultural heritage site in the city's West Zone, was a landmark in the history of Brazil and the royal family.
The headquarters of the Fazenda Real de Santa Cruz at the end of the 18th century. Wikimedia Commons
Image description: The image is a black-and-white engraving. At the center is a building with two side towers and domes, possibly a church or temple. To the left and right of the temple are smaller structures, likely residences or outbuildings. In the background, there are trees and a fence marking the boundary of the property. In the lower part of the image, there are a few human figures and objects that appear to be part of the farm.The mansion, which today houses the headquarters of the Combat Engineering Battalion, has a past filled with historical events. The former royal land grant was donated to Cristóvão Monteiro as a reward for his deeds alongside Mem de Sá against the French invasions. After Monteiro's death, most of the property was donated to the Jesuits, who annexed more land over time, leading the estate to occupy an immense area of approximately 40 square leagues (932 km²) between Guaratiba and the Serra da Matacães, in Vassouras. With the expulsion of the Jesuits from Brazil, the immense estate was annexed to the Crown's holdings.
The Jesuit Bridge, built in the 18th century, passed over a canal constructed to facilitate the irrigation of the plantations. Wikimedia Commons
Image description: This is a photograph of a historic bridge located on a farm called "Santa Cruz." The bridge is built of stone and brick, featuring arches at its center. It is bordered by a white wall with decorative pillars at the ends. In the background, there is a power line and some green trees. The sky is light blue, indicating a sunny day.In the early 19th century, it began to be used by D. João VI as a summer house and continued to be frequented by the royal family, even after his departure for Portugal. Over the years, the estate became one of royalty's official residences, becoming known as Palácio Imperial. It received illustrious visitors such as Debret, and it was there that the first Music Conservatory in Brazil was established.
Shortly before the Proclamation of the Republic and in the years that followed, the vast lands were gradually occupied by squatters, farmers, ranchers, and entrepreneurs.
Currently, the Fazenda's headquarters is occupied by the Villagran Cabrita Battalion, created in 1855, now the School of Engineering (known as the Combat Engineering Battalion). Much of its history is being lost due to the little importance given to historical monuments located in the suburbs of the city.
Current appearance of the old headquarters of the Santa Cruz Farm, now home to the Villagran Cabrita Engineering School Battalion. Wikimedia Commons
Image description: This is a photograph of a building with classical architecture, located on a green lawn. On the left side, we see a tree with green leaves and an old fountain. In the center, there is a monument with a square structure and a central column. On the right, there is another tree and a fountain similar to the one on the left side. The main building is white with a red roof and has several blue windows. At the top, there are two antennas and a small tower.
