Castelinho da Rua Apa

Castelinho da Rua Apa is a residential building with French architectural influences and medieval castle elements in Santa Cecília, São Paulo. The facade displays pointed turrets, ornamented windows with stone frames, and decorative details that give the house the appearance of a small fortress.

Constructed between 1912 and 1917 for the wealthy Guimarães dos Reis family, the building originally served as a private residence. After a triple murder in 1937, the federal government took control of the property under a new inheritance law.

The name "Castelinho" means "little castle" and describes exactly how the building appears to neighbors and visitors. In early 20th century São Paulo, wealthy families often commissioned European-style villas to demonstrate their social rise and new prosperity.

The building stands at the corner of Rua Apa and Avenida General Olímpio da Silveira and now functions as a social assistance center. The NGO Clube de Mães operates various support programs here for the local community.

After the deaths, a new federal law no longer recognized nephews as legitimate heirs, which led to the seizure of the property. This legal case contributed to later reforms in Brazilian inheritance law and made the building an unusual example of ownership transfer through legislative change.

Location: São Paulo

Location: Santa Cecília District

GPS coordinates: -23.53522,-46.65269

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:28