House at Sítio do Mandu, Bandeirista house in Cotia, Brazil
The House at Sítio do Mandu is a rectangular structure with front and rear porches, earthen walls, and a four-sided roof with extended eaves that overhang the entire perimeter. The building reflects the practical design typical of bandeirista residences from the colonial period.
Built in the early 1700s during Portuguese colonial rule, the house served as a residence for a prominent bandeirista family. Restoration work in the 1960s revived the structure and helped preserve its architectural heritage for future generations.
The interior chapel beside the porch displays a decorated altar and carved ceiling that reveal how deeply religious faith shaped daily life in colonial households.
Visits are managed by Cotia Municipality's tourism office and typically require advance notice or booking. The house is accessible to explore, and guided tours provide detailed insights into colonial architecture and domestic life.
The rear area contains evidence of wooden flooring, a rare feature in colonial residences that hints at the family's relative prosperity. This constructive detail sets it apart from most other surviving structures of that era.
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