Casa de Dona Yayá, Historic building in República District, São Paulo, Brazil
Casa de Dona Yayá is a two-story residence in the República District featuring art nouveau details, painted walls, and tall windows from 19th-century São Paulo. The interior spaces bear traces of modifications made for care purposes and display the classical features of a wealthy household from that era.
The residence was home to Sebastiana de Melo Freire, who inherited wealth at 18 and lived confined within its walls from 1921 to 1961. The building's architecture documents shifting approaches to care for people with mental health challenges during the 20th century.
The building reveals how mental health was understood in early 20th-century Brazil through its modified windows and specialized architectural changes. The spatial design shows how a wealthy resident lived in isolation, with her everyday life constrained by the building itself.
The property is now managed by a university cultural center that arranges guided tours and rotating exhibitions. Visitors should plan ahead to confirm access, as the building remains a sensitive space with specific visiting requirements.
Food was passed through a hole in the wall during decades of isolation, a daily routine that revealed the extent of confinement. A solarium constructed in 1952 marked a shift in care practices by finally providing access to sunlight.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
