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Thursday, October 01, 2009

Friday ‘my town’ shoot-out / Photo essay of a building.

This is my third blog in less weeks about the botanical gardens here in Rio.  As you know by now, I love this place and return time after time to walk the trails, wonder off into the wooded areas, visit the books in the gift shop and to take photos.  There are at least 4 historic buildings within the 140 hectare (about 346 acres) grounds so you see I had a full fledged dilemma trying to choose only one to show you.  I ended up choosing based on the amount of information I could gather on each, versus what is the most beautiful or even the most interesting building.
 
                                                                                                          
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Walking to the left as you enter the main gates of the gardens, passing up the (most handy) restrooms and continuing to bear left, there is a small museum called (only in the Brazilian style of naming buildings!) the Archaeological Site Museum of the Pestle Mill Workshop.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 In 1808, John VI of Portugal founded the Rio botanical gardens  and in 1822 they were opened to the public.   This building began as a pestle mill in 1809 and continued in its intended functions until 1831 – over the next 150 years it was a private residence of Mrs. Pepétua de Cunha (1831-1859), a warehouse for agricultural equipment/residence for workers in the gardens (1859-1934), a seed warehouse (1934-1941), and finally as the residence of Dr. Kuhlmann and the Kuhlmann Botanical museum (1941-1982).   In the subsequent years, up until early 2000s, this building sat empty surrounded by the natural forest and has only recently been protected from the elements with a new roof and opened to the public as a museum. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

28 comments:

  1. Thanks for the timely pictures. I am, ironically, right now (in the background) watching a film that takes place in Rio, and it shows Rio in a bad light. I have been in Rio. I know it is beauty. Thanks for putting that balancing view online today.

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  2. Very cool. It's amazing how long buildings can last. The building is surrounded by beauty.

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  3. Nice job. I like how you captured the building and the setting it is in.

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  4. Thanks for the info on the building, as well as the photos! I love the blue trim and the shot of the garden through the window - lovely!

    I had no idea the Botanical Garden was founded so very long ago! Now I really must get to it one day!

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  5. As usually, you have given us another great shootout. The window photos are just beautiful. You always know how to frame a photo, GingerV.

    Thanks for another lovely and informative tour.

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  6. The building is beautiful and rich in history; but your photography is sensational. Excellent post.

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  7. So beautiful! I love the shot of the bright blue window...it makes me want to paint our boring walls and windows a more exciting color :)

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  8. I just love your shootouts hon - always interesting and the photos divine!!
    At some point a condo might be nice ..without all the outside care!!! Have a great Friday hon! Sarah

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  9. Ah, very interesting building, tucked into greenery and you did a great job of making it look beautiful.

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  10. Interesting information to accompany the pictures Ginger.
    I can see why you like this area so much.

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  11. http://annkschin.blogspot.com/2009/09/friday-shoot-outnanyang-technological.html

    My FSO was posted early because i went away and had a great holiday.

    Your building reminds me of Singapore, lots of plants and big columns. Like the window shots.

    Cheers,

    Ann

    Have a great weekend.

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  12. You have the most interesting buildings.

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  13. Thanks for the information as well as the superb photos. Love the blue window!

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  14. The windows give the building a nice undulating rhythm on the outside of the building. Their placement allows for beautiful views looking out or in.
    Like Barry's building, this building has had a few owners. It was good they were able to rescue it and build a new roof. Thank you for sharing all the haunts of your lovely botanical gardens Ginger. =D

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  15. Ginger, you always inspire me to actually take a few meaningful photos, but is seems that I always come up a little short. Great job!
    Congratulations on the Olympics.

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  16. You have captured a mystery in these pictures with the light playing on the building. It looks very beautiful, and maybe a great place for a kid to play hide & seek. maybe an adult as well...

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  17. Lovely shots of the beautiful lush place that you inhabit! Great colors and you have captured the dappled shade so well.

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  18. You found some great angles here, good for you!

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  19. I love the third photo so much! How i wish to visit the botanical garden coz I can see how you love it so much. Thanks for the tour though. I cant wait to see more of it in the near future only in here.

    Thanks for the warm message about the latest disaster that hit my country specifically in Manila. We gonna be fine.

    BTW, the Chateau de Chambord looks more great and big. Thanks for the link.

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  20. I like the shot of the stone wall taken through the window. Nice!

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  21. I really like the way you captured light and shadows on the building. Thanks for sharing the history!

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  22. Ginger, these are so cool. I like the 'looking out the window' one best.

    I love how you format your posts, too, the way you set up your photos is so cool.

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  23. Beautiful photographs for an excellent tour!

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  24. love the photos with all the shadows!

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  25. I especially like the side by side view of the window looking in and out!

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