Fazenda do Pinhal, Historical coffee farm in São Carlos, Brazil.
Fazenda do Pinhal is a coffee estate with several preserved buildings spread across more than 40 hectares, including the main house, slave quarters, machine house, and bakery. The entire complex reflects the working infrastructure of a large plantation from the 1800s, with distinct areas for residence, labor, and production.
The estate began operating in 1830 as a coffee plantation staffed by enslaved African workers until slavery was abolished in Brazil. Afterward, Italian immigrants came to work the land, marking a significant shift in the labor force.
The main house library holds thousands of books, including works by Eça de Queiroz and Gilberto Freyre, reflecting the intellectual interests of the family who lived here. Walking through these rooms, you can sense how literature shaped daily life and connected the estate to broader Brazilian cultural circles.
Visits must be arranged in advance through scheduled tours that run Tuesday through Friday and take about three hours to complete. Wear comfortable walking shoes since you will spend considerable time exploring the grounds on foot.
The main house preserves original Thonet furniture and decorative pieces chosen by Anna Carolina, the Countess of Pinhal, in the 1800s. These furnishings offer a direct glimpse into the personal taste and wealth of the family who called this place home.
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