Edifício Arte Nova, também denominado «Casa do Major Pessoa»

Edifício Arte Nova is a residential building from the early 1900s with characteristic Art Nouveau elements such as floral motifs carved in stone and wrought iron ornaments. The striking blue rear courtyard with an exterior staircase and a ceramic tile panel set into the back area are among the structure's most notable features.

The house was built in 1907 under architect Francisco Augusto da Silva Rocha for Mario Belmonte Pessoa, a merchant in the coffee and cocoa trade. The choice of this architectural style reflected the wealth and taste of the prosperous merchant class of the early twentieth century.

The house was designed as a residence for a wealthy merchant, and its interior spaces display the craftsmanship of that period. Visitors today can observe how the inhabitants valued natural forms and fine details in their daily surroundings.

The ground floor houses a tea room that operates outside regular museum hours with an afternoon service available. It is worth checking the schedule in advance if visiting at specific times is planned.

The back courtyard displays a ceramic tile panel from 1907 created by Licinio Pinto and Carlos Branco at the Fonte Nova Factory. This artwork shows the skilled craftsmanship of local ceramic production from that period.