Parque das Ruínas
The ruins of an old small palace — Palacete Murtinho Nobre, dating from 1902 — are the heart of this curious cultural centre. This was the home of Laurinda Santos Lobo, heiress of a considerable fortune and one of Rio de Janeiro’s greatest supporters of the arts during the early 20th Century. Until the death of its owner in 1946, the palace was a meeting point for the Brazilian elite of intellectuals and artists, as well as noteworthy international personalities. Guests included composer Villa Lobos, writer João do Rio and dancer Isadora Duncan, among many others.
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Today, what is left of the small palace is part of the Centro Cultural Municipal Parque das Ruínas (Ruins Park Municipal Cultural Centre). It is supported by a glass structure, a gallery, a terrace with a space for live music, and a viewpoint — one of the centre’s main attractions due to its excellent panoramic view over Rio de Janeiro.