Housed in an elegant, late-19th-century mansion, this museum–arts center is a repository of all manner of collections donated to the city by avid collector, João Carlos Abreu – journalist, writer, politician, actor, artist, former minister of tourism and, evidently, keen traveler and souvenir acquirer. However, these are no ordinary mementos – room after room is packed with wonderful objects, many works of art. The guided tours include Abreu's hoard of ties, horse statues, paintings and furniture.
The most valuable object is a Ming vase.
