Museu do Açude

Museu do Açude is an art institution in the foothills of Tijuca Forest in Rio de Janeiro that spreads across multiple buildings and houses collections of Portuguese tiles, East Asian artworks, and decorative objects. The grounds combine exhibition spaces with open gardens and forest areas.

Industrial entrepreneur Raymundo Ottoni de Castro Maya acquired the property in 1913 and later bequeathed it to his foundation, leading to the museum's opening in 1964. The collection grew over decades through strategic purchases and donations that reflected diverse artistic traditions.

The name comes from the reservoir on the property, a water feature that shapes the landscape. Visitors experience the grounds as a green refuge within the city, where artworks and nature coexist together.

The property sits within a forest area, so visitors should bring comfortable shoes and water to manage the paths between buildings. Plan enough time to explore the scattered collections and outdoor spaces without rushing through them.

The grounds contain a converted swimming pool whose interior walls are covered with intricate Portuguese tile patterns and now serves as an exhibition space. This unusual setting shows how art collections were integrated into unexpected places.