museum · Petrópolis, RJ
Casa de Santos Dumont
A small summer house designed by the inventor himself in 1918, which he nicknamed A Encantada, full of eccentric touches such as the staircase with alternating steps. It holds personal belongings and an observatory on the terrace.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Casa de Santos Dumont
Santos Dumont designed his own summer house in 1918, on a hillside on Rua do Encanto, which is where the nickname comes from: A Encantada. It is a small house, with three floors without partitions and an observatory on the roof, and every detail says something about its owner.
The entrance staircase has cut-away steps that force you to start climbing with your right foot. There is no kitchen: meals came from a nearby hotel. In the bathroom is the alcohol-heated hot shower he created, said to be the only one in the country at the time. The furniture is scaled to the inventor, who was 1.52 m tall.
Listed by Iphan in 1952, the house is now a museum, with about 200 objects, including the Panama hat that became Santos Dumont's trademark. At the back there are replicas of the 14-Bis and the Demoiselle.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
The house is small: half an hour is usually enough.
Best time
Closed on Mondays. Combine it with the Museu Imperial and the Palácio de Cristal on the same downtown walking circuit.
How to get there
Rua do Encanto, 22, in the historic center of Petrópolis.
Tip
The visit is self-guided, with explanatory signs. Climb the entrance stairs slowly and starting with your right foot, as he planned.
A look at the place
Casa de Santos Dumont in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Casa de Santos Dumont
Why is the house called A Encantada?
Because of Rua do Encanto, the street where it stands.
What is special about the staircase?
The steps are cut in a way that forces you to start climbing with your right foot.
Why doesn't the house have a kitchen?
Santos Dumont did not cook at home: his meals came from a nearby hotel.
Is the house open on Mondays?
No. It is open Tuesday to Sunday.