RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – A great tip for Rio residents and tourists who love architecture, art, and culture: four castles filled with stories in the Marvelous City.
1 – CASTELO VALENTIM – Santa Teresa
Built in 1879, it was home to Commander Antonio Valentim. His son, the architect Fernando Valentim, divided the castle into apartments in the 1930s, the way he found to preserve the property. The architecture is eclectic and bears the appearance of a fortress. It is currently a residential condominium with eight apartments.
Address: Rua Almirante Alexandrino, 1405
Because it is a residential property, access is restricted to residents.
2 – CASTELINHO DO FLAMENGO – South Zone
The art nouveau style castle contrasts with the buildings on Flamengo Beach and was designed by the Italian architect Gino Copede and built in 1918 to serve as a residence for a rich Portuguese entrepreneur. In the 90s, it was converted into a cultural center and its name is a tribute to the Rio de Janeiro playwright Oduvaldo Vianna Filho. The Center features a room for courses and workshops, an auditorium and exhibition galleries, most of them focused on photography. The Media Library includes more than three thousand national and foreign films that can be watched on computers or TV booths.
Address: Praia do Flamengo, 158
Free visit, from Thursday to Sunday, from 10 AM to 6 PM.
3 – CASTELO DA FIOCRUZ – North Zone
Built between 1905 and 1918, Fiocruz Castle is a symbol of national science and health. The “Science Palace”, conceived by Oswaldo Cruz to be the headquarters of the institution that would be named after him, was designed in the image of the Pasteur Institute, in Paris, combining the production of vaccines and medicines, scientific research and other activities related to public health. Located on the banks of Avenida Brasil, the construction is also known as the ‘Morisco Pavilion’, for its architecture in neo-moorish style, adorned by the beauty of Portuguese tiles and mosaics inspired by Arab tapestries.
Address: Avenida Brasil, 4365
Free visit – Museu da Vida Tour (“Life Museum Tour”, includes several spaces, as well as Morisco Castle)
Tuesday to Friday, from 9 AM to 4:30 PM; Saturday, from 10 AM to 4 PM.
4 – CASTELO DA ILHA FISCAL – Downtown
A neo-Gothic palace from the 19th century, it was built by Dom Pedro II and his government. Today open to visitors, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rio. In addition to its beauty, it has been the scene of historical events that give the place a special aura, such as the fact that the Empire or Monarchy Ball was held there.
Address: Cais do Espaço Cultural da Marinha
Tickets: R$30 (US$7) and R$15
From Thursday to Sunday: 12:30 PM, 2 PM, and 3:30 PM
Tickets are sold at the ‘Espaço Cultural da Marinha’, from 11 AM to 3:10 PM.
Boarding takes place 20 minutes prior.