Independence or death in Brazil

"By the blood that flows in my veins and upon my honour, I swear to God to free Brazil"  with this emotional phrase stated by Prince Pedro de Alcantara, in 1822, Brazil reached another step in its history and became independent from Portugal. The political context at the beginning of the nineteenth century contributed for the episode as other Latin American countries were facing revolutions and had the willing for independence as well.

Pedro desobeyed the demands of the Portuguese parliament and militar power that wished to keep Brazil as a colony. By refusing to come back to Portugal he looked for the support of the population and fellow freemasons group. On September 7th, coming back from a trip to the city of Santos he received a letter from his wife and his intellectual advisor, José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva, telling him that the Portuguese government was sending troops to restore order. Pedro reacted immediately by tearing off the Portuguese insignia in his uniform and demanding his officials to do the same, breaking ties with Portugal. Three months after, Pedro de Alcântara was crowned the first emperor of Brazil.

It is exactly near the Ipiranga river, in the southeastern region of São Paulo city, that 100 years after the independence was settled, it was built the monument in honor to the independence. Times were different and the city of São Paulo got another political and economical status considering the wealthy generated by coffee production and the cultural influence of inumerous groups of immigrants that came from different European countries.

                                             Monument in honor to the independence of Brazil, photo by Eliana Souza

Monument in honor to the Independence of Brazil, built in 1922, 
photo by Eliana Souza

The monument was designed by Italian sculptor Ettore Ximenes who used methaphorical elements to tell the history of the independence. Carved in granite, panels and sculptures in bronze, the work of art has honored several figures involved in the process of independence during the centuries by treating them as national heroes. 

Beneath there is a cripta which holds the mortal remains of Emperor Dom Pedro I and his wives, the Austrian Empress Maria Leopoldina and the French Empress Amélie de Leuchtenberg. 

Monument in honor to the independence, Independence Park, photo by Eliana Souza

Surrounding the monument it is located one of the most important museums for people of São Paulo :      the Paulista Museum, also known as Museum of Ipiranga. Both the monument and the museum are part of the Independence park, where locals come to relax, jogging and have fun with kids.

 Independence park, pavement with Portuguese decorative stones, 
photo by Eliana Souza

Paulista museum, at the Independence park, photo by Eliana Souza

The Italian engineer Tommaso Gaudenzio Bezzi, responsible by the project of the museum that took more than 5 years to be concluded at the end of the nineteenth century, employed several Italian craftsmen. The use of  bricks revolutionized the technique of construction of other buildings and residences later in the city. The ecletic architectural style was based on Renaissance palaces. 

The museum was used as a Natural History Museum for more than 20 years with a large collection of animals, plants and minerals. In 1917 under the supervision of Afonso de Taunay, it changed its directions to be transformed in a relevant historical museum. Taunay commisioned several paintings and works of art aiming at drawing a visual panel to point out the presence of paulistas (people born in São Paulo) as protagonists in several important episodes of the development of the Brazil. A whole floor was devoted to the independence that took place in São Paulo, near to the region where the museum was settled. More than 100.000 items compose the collection that includes furniture, clothing and archelogical objects related to the history of the city since it has been a tiny village up to the transformation in a real cosmopolitan urban center. 

Paulista Museum and gardens, photo by Eliana Souza

To beautify the surroundings, topiaries, roses, water fountains and arabesques are part of the gardens in front of the museum. Designed by Belgian landscape artist Arsenius Puttemans, they were based on Versailles Gardens in France and give the whole complex a trendy European atmosphere. 

 Independence park, fountains, photo by Eliana Souza


Independence park, fountains, photo by Eliana Souza

 Independence park, side walk, photo by Eliana Souza

Unfortunately the museum is closed nowadays for renovation.

Paulista Museum - Museu Paulista
Parque da Independencia, s/nº - Ipiranga
www.mp.usp.br
phone: + 55 11 2065-8000

Eliana Souza - SPin Brazil Tours

Elegance and luxury at Fasano hotel in São Paulo


Fasano hotel - entrance and logo, photo by Eliana Souza

The Fasano family is recognized in São Paulo by his long term legacy and contributions for the history of gastronomy and entrepreneurship in the city. For more than hundred years they left their mark of sophistication and attention to details.

 Rogerio Fasano, onwer of Fasano hotel and restauranteur
photo by 7º Paladar

The boutique hotel Fasano, located in the trendy neighborhood of Jardins, is an evidence that the Italian traditions are still kept in good shape by the fourth generation of the family. Rogério Fasano, owner and all-eyes of the business, has allied the high gastronomy practiced at the respectable Fasano restaurant with exclusive hospitality.

Modern architecture that mixes bricks imported from England and travertine marble 
photo by Eliana Souza

Inaugurated in 2003, the hotel building is a result of Rogerio´s dreams put into practice by the renowned architects Marcio Kogan and Isay Weinfeld. Kogan mixed nobel materials like wood, travetine marble and bricks imported from England to create the ecletic construction. Weinfeld complemented with discreet and elegant interior decoration by integrating leather chairs with antiques to bring the 30-40´s air that Rogerio Fasano would like to point out.


Lobby with a bar, photo by Eliana Souza

At the entrance, the guest is suprised by a double height lobby with a bar, that creates an envolving and cozy atmosphere. The check-in and check-out desk was moved to the back and reached by two aisles surrounded by modern fireplaces. Each side leads to the two main attractions of the building: the sophisticated Fasano restaurant and the intimist Baretto bar.

The reserved Baretto is an invitation for great drinks and high quality live music shows mixing bossa nova and jazz. Brazilian celebrities like Caetano Veloso, Bebel Gilberto and Gal Costa have featured there.

Fasano restaurant, photo by Edna Marcelino

On the other side stays the stunning Fasano restaurant where the talent of Rogério Fasano for leadership and staff training shines. Nowadays he owns a list of recognized restaurants including Parigi, Gero, Forneria San Paolo, Nonno Ruggero, however Fasano is the jewel of the crown.



The same care and whim are devoted to the hotel. The large 60 suites settled in 19 floors have windows with views of the residential neighborhood, wooden floors and abuse from modernist furniture. The staff, comprised by a sharp team of collaborators and two expert concierges, is trained to offer impeccable personalized services that should surpass the expectations of the high-end, influential and VIP guests.

Oscar Freire St. sidewalk, photo by Estudio Capanema

Despite being established in a calm street, the hotel is walking distance to all stylish boutique stores at Oscar Freire street and surrounded by antique shops, art galleries, cafes, restaurants and night clubs.
Interesting to observe that the Vittorio Fasano street, where the hotel is settled, was totally renovated by the owners, who invested extra money to land the electric wires and plant trees on the way to beautify the spot.

The outstanding swimming pool at Fasano Rio de Janeiro, in Ipanema 
photo by BTLA


Fasano Las Piedras, in Punta Del Leste, photo by e-architecture 

The Fasano group has continued his expansion by inaugurating other charming hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Punta Del Leste, in Uruguay. The daring eco-chic Fasano Boa Vista was inaugurated last 2011 in partnership with José Auriemo Neto, owner of JHSF group, that works with real estate businesses for wealthy customers.

Fasano Boa Vista, view from one of the suites, photo by casafashionista

The hotel is settled inside a gated comunity of high-end country houses, located in the city of Porto Feliz, just 102 kilometers away from São Paulo city. The design of the project was made by Isay Weinfeld and  it mergers the concept of relax with subtil casuality in the rural environment surrounded by native forest, tennis courts, golf courses, equestrian center and of course the unbeatable gastronomy of the brand Fasano.


Hotel Fasano - Rua Vittorio Fasano, 88 - São Paulo
www.fasano.com.br


Eliana Souza - SPin Brazil Tours