Palacete Modesto Leal, Mansion in Laranjeiras, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Palacete Modesto Leal is a mansion in Laranjeiras blending neoclassical, art nouveau, and renaissance styles on its exterior. Inside, eighteen rooms are decorated in French belle époque style, with ceiling paintings by Francisco Aurelio de Figueiredo e Melo.
Built between 1900 and 1905 by Antonio Januzzi and his brother, the mansion belonged to Count Modesto Leal. He was considered one of the wealthiest men in Brazil during that era.
The chapel inside holds religious artworks including a notable Pietà sculpture that visitors can still see today. These sacred spaces show how faith was woven into the daily life of those who lived here.
The property covers a large estate with roughly 4000 square meters of built structures spread across multiple levels. From different vantage points, visitors can enjoy views toward Botafogo Beach and Sugarloaf Mountain.
The grounds still feature winding garden paths, a greenhouse, and stables from its original design. This makes it one of Rio de Janeiro's last urban country estates where visitors can experience remnants of countryside living.
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