Centro Cultural Municipal Oduvaldo Vianna Filho (Castelinho do Flamengo)

Hi!

My second place on Tuesday was the Centro Cultural Municipal Oduvaldo Vianna Filho, better known as Castelinho do Flamengo. Once I got there the security guard handed me a guide with some museums and cultural centers of Rio de Janeiro and a brochure of the exhibition that was being displayed in the Castelinho: Tezuka, The King of Anime. I admit I found strange not having anyone else at the entrance, only the security guard, but ok. So I asked how much was the entrance and he told me just to sign the guestbook, and I did it. After that, and with brochures in hand, I looked around and saw 3 rooms, but none with the exhibition itself.

 I went up the first flight of stairs and when I got up there, a couple was explaining how to visit the exhibition: they told me to see the exhibition in a room in that floor and then go on to another room on the same floor, and so I did. The exhibition was very simple, not a big deal, so I didn’t get into the vibe of the anime. I could notice the decay of the building, and I must admit I get very blue when I see an old building with facilities that seem kind of abandoned. I hope it was just my impression (I know nothing about reforms), but maintenance in other buildings in Rio has been quite feeble, I think it might be a certain dropout due to lack of money for better maintenance... sooooo saaaad...

When I finished the visit in the second floor, they informed me that the third floor was displaying some Tezuka's animes. I went upstairs and got into one of the three bedrooms and enjoyed a little one of the films. They found a cool way to display the animes: with bedrolls and some cushions over the floor, people could lie down and see the movies in a screen on the ceiling. But I admit I didn’t even stay for 10 minutes because it was very hot and it was only 4:45pm. Going out the Castelinho do Flamengo, I entered in the bathroom to check it out: they have two bathrooms, each for a single person, one on each flight of stairs, both old but clean.

Finally, I asked the couple if I could visit the empty room of the second floor. Inside it I saw a balcony and I looked down the beach - nice but nothing exceptional.

So, in my opinion it is only worth to go there to take a picture of the castle after you visit the Museu das Telecomunicações. Definitely not worth spending your time visiting it, unless you have much time left. And if it is summer, better not go inside, mainly between 10h and 16h, when the heat there must be very strong.

Other dining options in the area are the very traditional  Café Lamas and Churrascaria Majorica. Café Lamas is located at Rua Marques de Abrantes, 18 - Flamengo and runs from 9:30am to 3pm every day of the week - it is recognized by his famous filet mignon. This restaurant was a meeting point for intellectuals, politicians, writers over the last century. It is worth a visit! And if you ever prefer a steakhouse, you should go to Churrascaria Majórica, a quite old restaurant whose clientele are formed by families. It runs from 12pm to 12am every day, except on Fridays and Saturdays when runs from 12pm to 1am.

Registration Form:

Site: Centro Cultural Municipal Oduvaldo Vianna Filho ou Castelinho do Flamengo

Visit’s date: 14/01/2014

Adress: Praia do Flamengo, 158 - Flamengo.

Telephone: (21)2205-0655/(21)2205-0276 

Directions: Using the subway and get off at Largo do Machado station, or any bus that passes by Largo do Machado – there are many options, click here to find out more: english or spanish

Working Hours: from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 8pm and on Sunday from 10am to 6pm.

Guided Tour: none.

Entry Price: Free, just sign the guest book.

Toilets / drink water fountains: Clean toilets are available, and I didn’t see any drinking water fountain.

Cafe / Restaurant / Convenience Store: none.

Accessibility: none, only way up is the stairs. It’s a little old castle.

Audio guide: none.

Lockers and space for stroller: none.

Recommended duration of stay: depends of the exhibition but 30 minutes is sufficient.

Parking: there isn’t one, but there are vacancies on the street behind the Oi Futuro Flamengo and private parking nearby: gEpark in Largo do Machado 54, and Praia do Flamengo, 200; and Estapar in Largo do Machado 19/21, 23, and Praia do Flamengo 154.

Camera: I could use without problems.

Air Conditioning: none, nor fan.

kiss kiss,

tati.