| |
Browse the Gallery with a Latte at Sao Paulo Museum Estacao Pinacoteca
If there was ever a different kind of building for a museum, it’s the Sao Paulo Museum Estacao Pinacoteca – the building was once the barracks for the city’s secret police! But since then, it has been transformed into a multi-level gallery with a lovely terrace café, and the neighbors definitely add some extra class – the Julio Prestes Sala is right next door, which houses the state orchestra!
Today, the building is still owned by the government of Sao Paulo state, and was originally inaugurated in 1914. Even before it served to hold prisoners, the building belonged to Estrada de Ferro Sorocabana, a road that was a part of a local cotton merchant’s business area. Then when it was restructured in 1914, it was redesigned by Ramos de Azevedo for the purpose of being a warehouse for the Sorocabana company before it was purchased by the state.
For the period of military regime in Sao Paulo, the Sao Paulo Museum Estacao Pinacoteca building was host to the headquarters of the Department of Political and Social Order, otherwise referred to as DOPS, which was actually the primary center of oppression and torture – not a place for anyone to have fond memories. In fact, many people wanted this building destroyed after the regime was subdued.
It was in 2002 that the building was reclaimed and turned into something beautiful again – something of worth that could benefit the people of the nation. Thus, the Sao Paulo Museum Estacao Pinacoteca was created with an area of 8000 square meters and six whole floors of gallery space! However, since it would be unfair to the memories of those who suffered here to simply forget, some space of the museum has been dedicated to the research and preservation of local history that occurred in this building.
The first floor of the museum has a library area, with a visual arts gallery that invites each and every visitor inside. All floors are dedicated to another specific area of local artistry, while there are also workshops and educational courses offered both on history and art, right here at the building.
With such a unique background and troubled past, the Sao Paulo Museum Estacao Pinacoteca is certainly a different place to visit – and yet it is also very important, if one wants to truly understand the people of Sao Paulo and their own history. The hours of the museum are from Tuesday through Sunday, 10am until 6pm.
From sao paulo museum estacao pinacoteca back to sao paulo attractions
|
|
