Imagine an art museum with works by great artists, surrounded by gardens by Burle Marx and with panoramic views over the city of Rio de Janeiro. This place exists! It’s the Chácara do Céu Museum, located high up in the neighborhood of Santa Teresa and is little known even among cariocas. Find out more about this special place!
The house was the former residence of businessman Castro Maya
The museum was the former residence of businessman and patron Raymundo Ottoni de Castro Maya (1894-1968), known since 1876 as Chácara do Céu. The name refers to its location, as it is at the highest point of the Santa Teresa neighborhood.
Before his death, Castro Maya left the property to the Foundation that bore his name, but in 1983 the Foundation was abolished. As a result, the Chácara do Céu Museum and the Açude Museum, both incorporated by the Federal Government, became part of the Castro Maya Museums.
Works by Portinari and more: what’s in the Chácara do Céu Museum
The old building was demolished in 1954 and, in its place, architect Wladimir Alves de Souza designed a house with modernist lines and more integrated into the gardens, with landscaping by Roberto Burle Marx.
In addition, two rooms – the library and the dining room – were kept organically furnished and decorated to preserve their residential character. It’s impossible not to mention the breathtaking view! That’s because, from the top, you can see the entire city of Rio de Janeiro!
But that’s not the only reason it’ s worth a visit. The Museum has exhibitions and temporary exhibitions, as well as a collection of 22,000 pieces, including paintings, engravings and drawings by great artists.
As a great collector, Castro Maya’s collection includes works by Matisse, Miró, Di Cavalcanti and Portinari, among many others. In fact, it was this collection that gave rise to the museum.
Art books, Brazilian and European literature and maps from the 17th and 18th centuries are also part of the collection.
How to get there, tickets and opening hours
The Chácara do Céu Museum is a very special place in the city, but still unknown to many Cariocas and visitors.
So if you’re keen to visit, the museum is very close to Largo do Curvelo. You can get there by cable car or bus, which stops at Largo do Curvelo station, and take a 10-minute walk. If you’re driving, the museum has a parking lot.
The museum and outdoor area are open daily, except Tuesdays, from 10am to 4:30pm. And admission is free!
📌Rua Murtinho Nobre, 93 – Santa Teresa