The house features a famous 'staircase of faith,' designed with alternating cutouts to accommodate the user starting with the right foot, saving space.
Santos-Dumont installed a gravity-fed, alcohol-fueled shower of his own design, predating modern electric showers.
The roof of the house features a small terrace where the inventor enjoyed observing the stars and the city below.
The entrance to the house is marked by a set of stone stairs leading to the roof, which served as the primary entry point.
The house was constructed in 1918 on a steep plot of land that developers previously considered unbuildable.
Inside, the original desk chair remains, which Santos-Dumont modified for his own ergonomic needs.
The house lacks a kitchen, as Santos-Dumont preferred to eat out or have meals brought to him to maintain the home's compact design.
The design reflects the inventor's obsession with efficiency and his background in aeronautics.
The structure is connected to the ground by a small footbridge that links the hill slope to the home's level.
Casa de Santos Dumont, locally known as 'A Encantada', served as the summer retreat for Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont. The house is a distinct example of early 20th-century architecture, characterized by its three-story design, steep roof, and absence of internal stairs. Santos-Dumont designed the house himself, incorporating unique features such as a shower system he invented and a ladder-staircase with alternating steps to fit tight spaces. The interior displays original furniture, personal belongings, and scientific equipment used by the inventor. The house is built on a hillside, requiring visitors to navigate sloping streets to reach the entrance. It operates today as a museum documenting the life and aeronautical contributions of its former owner. The property remains one of the most visited cultural sites in Petrópolis.
The front facade, which captures the unique steep roof and the bridge entrance.
Wear comfortable, grippy walking shoes, as the streets surrounding the museum are steep and paved with cobblestones.
Visit the small garden area for a clearer view of the house's exterior architecture.
Combine your visit with the nearby Imperial Museum for a comprehensive look at Petrópolis history.
Trying to navigate the area by car; the streets are extremely narrow, steep, and lack adequate public parking.
Closed on Mondays.
Photography is restricted in certain areas; maintain a quiet volume while inside the small rooms.
