the estate in guaratiba, one hour west of rio, was acquired by burle marx in 1949. previously called sitio santo antónio da bica, it had an old farmhouse and a small seventeenth century chapel, which burle marx restored before beginning to move his collection of plants to the location.

for almost 50 years burle marx developed this remarkable estate, bringing together a world famous collection of tropical and semi-tropical plants, including araceae, bromeliaceae, cycadaceae, heliconiaceae, marantaceae, palmae and velloziaceae.