From afar, SP may seem to be just a sea of large buildings, but among them there are many old mansions to visit and discover the city’s centuries-old history. Here, you can visit the futuristic International Electronic Language Festival fILE, at the Fiesp Cultural Center and a 15-minute walk along the Paulista Avenue to Casa das Rosas, built in 1935.
Thus, we realize that the city offers us experiences of time travel in a subtle way and, of course, we can’t miss them. That’s why we’ve listed six mansions in São Paulo for you to visit and enjoy.
Don’Anna’s House
Opening the list of mansions in SP, this architectural grandmother is over 110 years old and preserves the city’s coffee-growing history guided tours that take place there, you get to know more about São Paulo’s ‘belle époque’. The mansion was closed for many years for events, but can now be visited on weekends and holidays, from 11am to 4.30pm, and tickets start at R$15.
A curious fact is that Ramos de Azevedo, architect of major buildings in the capital , such as the Municipal Theater, the USP Medical School and the Pinacoteca, also designed this house. Another strong point of the residence is its beautiful garden with orchids and jabuticaba trees.
guaianazes Street, 1149 – Campos Elíseos
House of Roses
Still on the subject of Ramos de Azevedo’s impact on São Paulo, architect Felisberto Ranzini worked in his office and designed the House of Roses with architecture predominantly inspired by the classic French style.
The space is very large and has 30 rooms, courts, an orchard and gardens. Hence the infamous name “Casa das Rosas” (House of Roses), because it is the species of flower that still stands out in the backyard. In the end, it left its mark on history.
Today, the building houses a museum dedicated to literature and poetry with free admission. Visits take place from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 6pm.
📍Avenida Paulista, 37 – Bela Vista
Higienópolis House
Surrounded by stories, the former Casarão Nhonhô Magalhães is now called Higienópolis House. Previously, it underwent 13 years of renovation until, in 2020, it was ready to welcome the public and host events such as weddings, dinners and fashion shows.
However, it is still possible to enter a part of the residence and access its cultural program, as it is home to Paço das Artes and is free to visit from Tuesday to Saturday, from 11am to 7pm, and on Sundays and public holidays, from 12pm to 6pm.
📍Avenida Higienópolis, 758 – Consolação
Stahl Palace
Not only Casarão Higienópolis and Casa das Rosas have become spaces dedicated to culture. The Stahl Palace also received this function in 2021, with the arrival of the Artium Institute on its premises.
It was originally erected between 1920 and 1921 to welcome Gustav Stahl, the first Consul General of the Swedish Crown. But throughout its history, it has even been the seat of the Japanese Empire in Brazil.
Visits are free and take place from Wednesday to Friday, from 12 noon to 6 pm, and on weekends, from 10 am to 6 pm.
piauí Street, 874 – Higienópolis
Ema Klabin House Museum
Built in the mid-1950s to order by its namesake owner, the house became home to the Ema Gordon Klabin Cultural Foundation in 1978 and has been promoting various cultural activities ever since.
There is also a museum with free admission that is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 5pm. If you’re interested, you can take a guided tour at the following times: 11am, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.
📍Rua Portugal, 43 – Jardim Europa
Solar da Marquesa de Santos
Marked by epic 19th century masked balls and high society scandals, the mansion is the only example of a period home in the heart of the capital. The date of its construction is not exact, but it is estimated that it took place between 1739 and 1754.
He lived there Domitila de Castro Canto e Melo the illustrious mistress of Dom Pedro I. Today, the Solar da Marquesa is open for visits from Tuesday to Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with free admission.
📍Rua Roberto Simonsen, 136 – Historic Center of São Paulo