Slipping through time’s curtain, we find ourselves at the Morro de Santo Antônio da Bica. It’s not just a peak offering breathtaking views. It’s a silent sentinel guarding centuries of stories. This hill, reaching 482 meters towards the sky, is the highest point of the Serra Geral de Guaratiba south of Garganta da Grota Funda. It’s nestled between the Sítio Roberto Burle Marx and the area of Piabas. Morro de Santo Antônio da Bica isn’t just a geographical landmark. It’s intertwined with the history of the renowned landscape architect, Roberto Burle Marx.
The land where the Morro de Santo Antônio da Bica stands was once known as Fazenda or Engenho da Bica. Water flowed from the hilltop, serving the local community through a spout, or “bica.” This gave the area its original name. With the construction of a chapel dedicated to Saint Anthony in 1681, the name evolved to Engenho Santo Antônio da Bica, and later, Sítio Santo Antônio da Bica. Roberto Burle Marx, in his search for a place brimming with diverse flora and safe from development, purchased the first part of this land in 1949. This became the foundation of the Sítio Roberto Burle Marx, a sanctuary of natural beauty. He later expanded the site in 1952 and 1960, transforming it into his living laboratory.
The Morro de Santo Antônio da Bica provided a backdrop for Burle Marx’s artistic endeavors. He carefully cultivated a collection of over 3,500 plant species, transforming the landscape into a living masterpiece. He also restored the small 17th-century chapel and expanded the existing house on the property. This chapel still stands, a testament to the enduring spirit of the site, and can be visited today. Burle Marx lived on this property from 1973 until his death in 1994. His legacy lives on in the vibrant gardens, the historic chapel, and the very spirit of Morro de Santo Antônio da Bica. It is a place where nature and art intertwine, where history whispers through the leaves, and where the views stretch to eternity. He donated the sítio to the Brazilian government in 1985, ensuring its preservation.
Today, the Sítio Roberto Burle Marx, including the slopes of Morro de Santo Antônio da Bica, is a place to wander and wonder. It’s a place to connect with nature and appreciate the vision of a man who saw beauty in the wild, untamed landscape. As you gaze upon this hill, remember the stories it holds. They are stories of flowing water, artistic inspiration, and the enduring power of nature.