Fazenda Colubandê, Colonial farm estate in São Gonçalo, Brazil
Fazenda Colubandê is a colonial estate in São Gonçalo featuring a large manor house with thick walls made of stone, lime, and brick. The main building covers about 700 square meters and demonstrates the construction methods and craftsmanship typical of that period.
The estate was founded in the 17th century by Catarina Siqueira and later sold to Benjamin Benevitis, who changed his name to Ramires Duarte Leão. This name change was an attempt to escape the Inquisition, which was persecuting people at that time.
The Sant'Ana Chapel on the grounds dates back to the 17th century and once served as a place where landowners and farm workers gathered to pray together. It shows how important religion was to everyone living and working on this estate during colonial times.
The grounds are currently unoccupied and have not been publicly accessible for some time, which has helped preserve the original structures. Visitors should check in advance about access opportunities, as visiting may require special arrangements.
The manor house was built around a well, following Jewish building traditions that were unusual for a structure in Brazil at that time. The design combines oriental-style ceilings with Louis XV windows and Greco-Roman columns, showing how different European styles were mixed together.
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