House of the Ottoni, Colonial museum in Serro, Brazil.
The House of the Ottoni is a two-story colonial building with white walls, wooden details, and Portuguese architectural elements from the 18th century, now serving as a regional museum. Its rooms preserve a collection of religious artworks and historical objects from the early settlement period.
The building belonged to descendants of Fernao Dias Paes Leme, a bandeirante who explored Brazilian territories during the colonial period. The collection was established as a museum in 1991, documenting this family's connection to the region's exploration and settlement.
The building displays religious artworks from the colonial period, including processional images used in church celebrations and objects from a demolished chapel. Visitors can see how Catholic faith shaped the daily life and artistic work of the community.
The visit is easy to plan since the museum is accessible on several days each week at various hours and is located in the city center. It is wise to check opening hours beforehand and allow enough time to walk through the rooms and read about the pieces.
The building was also a family residence and retains original features of daily life from that era. The way rooms are arranged and furnished reveals how wealthy families actually lived during the colonial period.
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