By Patricia RibeiroUpdated 04/18/17Parque Lage, at the foot of the Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro, has preserved woods that are part of the Tijuca National Park, artistically designed gardens and a palazzo built by Brazilian entrepreneur Henrique Lage (1881-1941) for his wife, Italian opera singer Gabriella Besanzoni (1888-1962).The mansion is now used by Escola de Artes Visuais do Parque Lage (www.eavparquelage.rj.gov.br), part of the State Culture Secretariat.The park's green areas and architecture are protected heritage.Located near the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, Parque Lage is a perfect place for plein air painting, sketching and photography. Explore the gardens, parts of which still retain some of the original 1840 design by British landscaping artist John Tyndale, commissioned by the property's previous owner, an Englishman.The land, which had been the site of a sugar mill in colonial times, had previously belonged to Rodrigo de Freitas de Mello Castro, who lent his name to nearby Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas.
