museum · Caxias do Sul, RS
Museu Ambiência Casa de Pedra
Built in the late 19th century by Giuseppe Lucchese and his sons, with stones set in clay, the house became a museum in 1975. The collection, donated by the community, shows utensils, furniture, clothing and tools from the lives of Italian immigrants.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Museu Ambiência Casa de Pedra
The Museu Ambiência Casa de Pedra occupies one of the oldest houses in Caxias do Sul. It's a late 19th-century Italian immigrant home, made of basalt stones set in clay, with wooden doors and windows. It's considered the only building of its kind still standing in the city's urban area.
The house was built by Giuseppe Lucchese and his sons, in an area then called Nona Légua. It later passed to the Brunetta and Tomazzoni families. Over time it served as a home, general store, blacksmith shop, barn and pig slaughterhouse. The city expropriated the property in 1974, and the museum opened on February 14, 1975. The house has been a municipal heritage site since 2003.
The name "ambiência" (ambiance) says a lot: the idea is to show what daily life was like for a settler family. On the ground floor are the living room and kitchen, with the bread oven outside. Upstairs was the bedroom. The collection was donated by the community and includes furniture, kitchen utensils, clothing, crocheted bedspreads and towels, religious images, farm tools, spinning wheels and looms.
The visit is short and relaxed, good for families and for anyone who wants to understand Italian immigration in Serra Gaúcha. Access to the upper floor is by stairs, typical of an old house.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
30 minutes to 1 hour is enough to see the house inside and out.
Best time
Any time of year, preferably in the morning or early afternoon, with settled weather so you can also enjoy the garden around the house.
How to get there
It's on Rua Matteo Gianella, in the Santa Catarina neighborhood of Caxias do Sul. You can get there by car, taxi or ride-hailing app from the city center.
Tip
Check opening days and hours beforehand with the Caxias do Sul Municipal Museum, which runs the house; combine the visit with other museums in the city on the same day.
A look at the place
Museu Ambiência Casa de Pedra 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 Museu Ambiência Casa de Pedra
Who built the Casa de Pedra in Caxias do Sul?
Italian immigrant Giuseppe Lucchese, with his sons, in the late 19th century. The house is made of basalt stones set in clay.
How long has the Casa de Pedra been a museum?
The city expropriated the house in 1974 and the museum opened in February 1975.
What is there to see at the museum?
The rooms of an Italian settler home, with furniture, kitchen utensils, clothing, crochet work, religious images, farm tools, spinning wheels and looms donated by the community.
How long does the visit take?
30 minutes to 1 hour. The house is small and you can see everything at a relaxed pace.
Where is the Casa de Pedra?
On Rua Matteo Gianella, in the Santa Catarina neighborhood of Caxias do Sul. The easiest way to get there is by car, taxi or ride-hailing app.