Rio de Janeiro historic palace receives federal heritage protection

The Brazilian Ministry of Culture has officially ratified the heritage listing of the Palacete Celina Guinle e Linneo de Paula Machado and its gardens in Rio de Janeiro. This decision, formalized through Ordinance 314/2026, follows a unanimous approval by the Consultative Council of Cultural Heritage in June.

The protection process has been underway at the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (Iphan) since 1990. This federal designation ensures the permanent preservation of the site's historical, architectural, and landscape characteristics under the legal framework of Decree-Law No. 25 of 1937.

Built between 1900 and 1906, the mansion was a wedding gift to Celina Guinle and Linneo de Paula Machado, the founder of the Jockey Club Brasileiro. The property features marble statues, mosaic floors, and an expansive garden that serves as one of the last remaining green spaces in the area. The estate spans over 1,100 square meters and contains 30 rooms. Currently, the site is owned by the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Firjan) and has housed Casa Firjan since 2018.