Parque Lage

Originally a colonial sugar mill known as Engenho de Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Lagoa, the lands of Parque Lage date back to the 16th century. In the mid-19th century, the property was acquired by the English nobleman Lord John Tyndall, who transformed the wild landscape into a formal English-style garden. However, its most significant transformation occurred when the Brazilian industrialist Henrique Lage purchased the estate in the early 20th century, envisioning a grand residence that would reflect his immense wealth and status. In the 1920s, Henrique Lage commissioned the Italian architect Mario Vodret to redesign the mansion as a gift for his wife, the celebrated Italian opera singer Gabriella Besanzoni. The result was a stunning eclectic palace featuring a central courtyard with a swimming pool, surrounded by Romanesque columns and intricate marble work. The gardens were expanded to include artificial caves, stone bridges, and winding paths through the dense Atlantic Forest, creating a romantic and theatrical atmosphere suited for Besanzoni's performances. Following financial difficulties and the death of Henrique Lage, the estate was eventually taken over by the state and opened to the public in the 1960s. Since 1975, the mansion has housed the Escola de Artes Visuais do Parque Lage, one of Brazil's most prestigious art schools. Today, the park serves as a vital cultural and ecological sanctuary, where history, art, and nature converge at the base of the Corcovado mountain, offering a peaceful retreat from the bustling city of Rio de Janeiro.