In Santa Teresa, Museu da Chácara do Céu pairs Brazilian and European art with broad views across Rio de Janeiro and Guanabara Bay. The museum occupies a modernist house built in 1954 for art collector Raymundo Ottoni de Castro Maya, surrounded by gardens that date to 1876. Inside, look for works by Candido Portinari, Di Cavalcanti, Iberê Camargo and Antônio Bandeira, alongside European artists including Matisse, Modigliani and Miró. It makes a peaceful art stop if you are exploring Santa Teresa.
A collector’s home in Santa Teresa
The museum is set in Santa Teresa, above central Rio, on a property known as Chácara do Céu since 1876. Raymundo Ottoni de Castro Maya inherited the property in 1936. In 1954, architect Wladimir Alves de Souza replaced the earlier house with a modern residence, designed to sit within the existing gardens.
Castro Maya was a businessman and art patron. The house became one of the homes where he lived and kept the collection he assembled with his father. The museum opened in 1972, preserving the residence and its contents for visitors.
Brazilian and European art
The collection brings together Brazilian works and art from Europe. Among the Brazilian artists represented are Candido Portinari, Di Cavalcanti, Iberê Camargo and Antônio Bandeira. Francisco Muzzi’s paintings depicting Mestre Valentim are another distinctive part of the collection.
European works include paintings, sketches and engravings by artists such as Matisse, Modigliani and Miró. The holdings also include works by Picasso, Braque, Dalí, Degas and Monet. The range gives the galleries a mix of Brazilian modern art and well-known European names, alongside historical material such as maps of Brazil from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Gardens and views over Rio
The property’s gardens date to 1876 and remain part of the visit. From the museum’s hilltop location, views extend across Rio, including the city centre and Guanabara Bay. The gardens and outlook offer a quieter pause between the galleries and the streets of Santa Teresa.
The nearby Parque das Ruínas is another local point of interest. The two sites sit in the same neighbourhood, so you can combine them if you are planning a walk around Santa Teresa.
Preguntas frecuentes
Where is Museu da Chácara do Céu?
It is at R. Murtinho Nobre, 93, in Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro.
What can you see at the museum?
The collection includes Brazilian artists such as Candido Portinari and Di Cavalcanti, European artists including Matisse and Miró, and historical maps.
How long do you need at Museu da Chácara do Céu?
Plan for about an hour for a short visit to the galleries and gardens.
Is admission free on Wednesdays?
Admission has been listed as free on Wednesdays. Check the museum’s official website for current ticket details before visiting.
