Vila Itororó, in the Bela Vista neighborhood, is a faithful reflection of São Paulo’s constant transformation. The small village emerged in the 1920s as a complex of luxury residences, later became an urban squatter settlement, and currently functions as a cultural center.
The area came to life thanks to the Portuguese-Brazilian Francisco de Castro, who built a mansion for himself surrounded by dozens of rental homes . The buildings were constructed using materials salvaged from the demolition of the old Theatro São José, incorporating ornaments, statues of Greek muses, and even walls.
The village’s name pays hom ly to the(now channeled) Itororó Stream, which once flowed where Avenida 23 de Maio stands today. Its waters, which were then free-flowing and clean, fed the large swimming pool at Vila Itororó, considered the city’s first privately owned public swimming pool.
The Centennial History of Vila Itororó
With the death of Francisco de Castro in the 1940s, the complex faced a period of neglect. And so, after decades of hosting balls and grand parties for the elite, Vila Itororó began to house tenements and squatter settlements.
Over time, more than 100 families came to live there, though the area suffered from water seepage and structural deterioration. Given that Vila Itororó has 4,000 square meters of built-up area, each family lived, on average, with 40 square meters for all its members.
The fate of Vila Itororó took a new turn in the early 2000s, when the area was designated a historic landmark at both the municipal and state levels. Residents were relocated to public housing in the region, and some of the houses in the complex were renovated to become a cultural center.
Cultural center offers free workshops, movies, and concerts in São Paulo
Today, anyone strolling among the historic little houses will find gardens, exhibitions, and cultural performances. The old swimming pool, which once symbolized the luxury of the 1920s elite, has also been repurposed and now serves as a stage for live shows.
In addition, the program frequently features workshops, fairs, and outdoor movie screenings. To plan your visit to this incredible cultural center in São Paulo, check out the monthly schedule on the official website!
