Whispers of the past echo from the site of the Antiga Casa da Baronesa. This wasn’t just any house. It stood on Avenida Paulista once a grand mansion called Villa Fortunata. It held a prominent place in Sao Paulo’s history.
Built in 1903 Villa Fortunata was more than just bricks and mortar. It was a testament to the Thiollier family. Alexandre Honoré Marie Thiollier a book seller built it for his wife Fortunata de Souza e Castro. The imposing eclectic style reflected the European influences of the time. It was initially a country house. The family lived downtown. The Avenida Paulista was then far from the city center.
The Villa Fortunata played host to an illustrious guest the Burle Marx family. They rented it in 1909. Young Roberto Burle Marx the renowned landscape architect was born there. He likely developed his love of gardens amidst the Villa’s greenery.
The Thiolliers’ son René inherited the Villa after his father’s death. René was a prominent figure in Sao Paulo’s intellectual and artistic circles. He was a lawyer writer and patron of the arts. He hosted many gatherings at Villa Fortunata attracting notable figures like Mario de Andrade and Oswald de Andrade. These events contributed to Sao Paulo’s artistic landscape. He even rented the Municipal Theater for the influential Semana de Arte Moderna of 1922.
René remained in the Villa until his death in 1968. Sadly the mansion was demolished in 1972. However the family ensured the preservation of the surrounding green space. This area now forms part of the Prefeito Mario Covas Park. This green legacy stands as a poignant reminder of the Villa’s former glory. It is a testament to the family’s commitment to preserving Sao Paulo’s natural beauty. The Antiga Casa da Baronesa may be gone. Its story and its impact on Sao Paulo remain.