Casa da Marquesa de Santos

Casa da Marquesa de Santos is a two-story neoclassical building in São Cristóvão featuring curved staircases and an adjoining garden. The facade displays heart-shaped details on windows and doors, with stone frames and decorative moldings above the lintels forming its exterior character.

Emperor Pedro I gifted this residence to his mistress Domitila de Castro, who lived here from 1827 to 1829. The building emerged during Brazil's early monarchy period and reflects the architectural choices and lifestyle of that era.

The interior displays scenes from Greek and Roman mythology in reliefs and paintings created by Francisco Pedro do Amaral, reflecting the tastes of the period. These artistic elements appear throughout the rooms and show the sophisticated decoration style of the time.

The building is located at Avenida Pedro II 283 in São Cristóvão and functions as a museum operated by the Rio de Janeiro State Culture Department. Visitors can explore the interior and move through the rooms featuring the curved staircases and architectural details.

The floors of the house are made from specially crafted Brazilian wood selected specifically for the construction. This choice of material reveals the importance placed on local craftsmanship when building this royal residence.