the julieta de serpa house of culture and art (Casa de Arte e Cultura Julieta de Serpa), in the flamengo neighborhood, is the result of an old love story. according to the tale, democritus lartigau seabra, the son of important brazilian merchants, wanted to give his wife a special present -the most beautiful house in rio de janeiro.

a french architect was contracted to build the house and all of its fixtures were imported from france. when his wife, maria josé, died in 1989 aged 95, the couple's eldest son, carlos alberto was the only living family member residing in the house.