Domitila De Castro, Marchioness Of Santos
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Domitila (or Domitília) de Castro do Canto e Melo (27 December 1797 — 3 November 1867), 1st
Viscountess A viscount ( , for male) or viscountess (, for female) is a title used in certain European countries for a noble of varying status. The status and any domain held by a viscount is a viscounty. In the case of French viscounts, the title is so ...
with designation as a
Grandee Grandee (; , ) is an official royal and noble ranks, aristocratic title conferred on some Spanish nobility. Holders of this dignity enjoyed similar privileges to those of the peerage of France during the , though in neither country did they ha ...
, then 1st Marchioness of Santos, was a Brazilian
noblewoman A noblewoman is a female member of the nobility. Noblewomen form a disparate group, which has evolved over time. Ennoblement of women has traditionally been a rare occurrence; the majority of noblewomen were linked to the nobility by either their ...
and the long-term mistress and favorite of Emperor Pedro I.


Life


Birth and family

Daughter of João de Castro do Canto e Melo and Escolástica Bonifácia de Oliveira e Toledo Ribas, Domitila belonged to a traditional São Paulo noble family: she was the granddaughter of Colonel Carlos José Ribas, great-grandfather of Simão de Toledo Piza, patriarch of this family in São Paulo. Born on 27 December 1797, she was baptized three months later, on 7 March 1798 in the Church of Nossa Senhora da Assunção (Sé) in São Paulo. According to her baptismal record, her godfather was
Ensign Ensign most often refers to: * Ensign (flag), a flag flown on a vessel to indicate nationality * Ensign (rank), a navy (and former army) officer rank Ensign or The Ensign may also refer to: Places * Ensign, Alberta, Alberta, Canada * Ensign, Ka ...
José Duarte e Câmara. The
Brigadier Brigadier ( ) is a military rank, the seniority of which depends on the country. In some countries, it is a senior rank above colonel, equivalent to a brigadier general or commodore (rank), commodore, typically commanding a brigade of several t ...
João de Castro Canto e Melo was born in the
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in the
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, and died in
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in 1826. He was the son of João Batista do Canto e Melo and Isabel Ricketts, and descended from Pero Anes do Canto, from Terceira Island. He passed to Portugal, setting up a cadet square at the age of 15 on 1 January 1768, named Standard-Bearer on 17 October 1773. He was 21 when, in 1774, he went to
Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro, or simply Rio, is the capital of the Rio de Janeiro (state), state of Rio de Janeiro. It is the List of cities in Brazil by population, second-most-populous city in Brazil (after São Paulo) and the Largest cities in the America ...
and months later to
São Paulo São Paulo (; ; Portuguese for 'Paul the Apostle, Saint Paul') is the capital of the São Paulo (state), state of São Paulo, as well as the List of cities in Brazil by population, most populous city in Brazil, the List of largest cities in the ...
. He was transferred to the Santos Infantry line Regiment, promoted to Ensign in 1775 and to Lieutenant in the same year, to Adjudant in 1778; he was Captain in 1798, Major in the same year, and in 1815 Lieutenant Colonel. Later, after his daughter's love with the emperor, he was made Gentleman of the Imperial Chamber and still received the noble title of Viscount of Castro on 12 October 1825. Domitila's full siblings were: *João de Castro do Canto e Melo (March 1786 – 11 September 1853), 2nd Viscount of Castro,
Field Marshal Field marshal (or field-marshal, abbreviated as FM) is the most senior military rank, senior to the general officer ranks. Usually, it is the highest rank in an army (in countries without the rank of Generalissimo), and as such, few persons a ...
and Gentleman of the Imperial Chamber; married with Inocência Laura Vieira de Azambuja, with whom he had issue. *José de Castro do Canto e Melo (baptized 17 October 1787 – died ca. 1842),
Brigadier Brigadier ( ) is a military rank, the seniority of which depends on the country. In some countries, it is a senior rank above colonel, equivalent to a brigadier general or commodore (rank), commodore, typically commanding a brigade of several t ...
of the
Brazilian Army The Brazilian Army (; EB) is the branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces responsible, externally, for defending the country in eminently terrestrial operations and, internally, for guaranteeing law, order and the constitutional branches, subordina ...
. Soldier at the age of five on 1 July 1792, Standard-Bearer in 1801,
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in 1807, Lieutenant in 1815, Commander of the Cavalry Squad of the Legion of São Paulo and in the Battle of Itupuraí, in the 1816 campaign. Captain in 1818, Sergeant Major of the 2nd Line Cavalry Regiment of Vila de Curitiba, then São Paulo Province, in 1824. Colonel of the Army Staff in 1827. He was licensed for health reasons in 1829. Brigadier retired from the Army. Gentleman of the Imperial Chamber, dismissed in 1842. Knight of the
Military Order of Saint Benedict of Aviz The Military Order of Aviz (), known previously to 1910 as the Royal Military Order of Saint Benedict of Aviz (), and before 1789 as the Knights of Saint Benedict of Aviz () or ''Friars of Santa Maria of Évora'', is one of the four former ancien ...
in 1824 and was promoted to Commander in the same order in 1827. Officer of the
Order of the Southern Cross The National Order of the Southern Cross () is a Brazilian Orders, decorations, and medals of Brazil, order of chivalry founded by List of monarchs of Brazil, Emperor Pedro I of Brazil, Pedro I on 1 December 1822. The order aimed to commemorate ...
in 1827; married with his niece Francisca Pinto Coelho de Mendonça e Castro, with whom he had issue. *Maria de Castro do Canto e Melo (baptized February 1790; died in infancy). *Pedro de Castro do Canto e Melo (baptized 26 May 1791; died in infancy). *Maria Benedita de Castro do Canto e Melo (18 December 1792 – 5 March 1857), married to Boaventura Delfim Pereira, Baron of Sorocaba, with whom she had issue; her second son Rodrigo Delfim Pereira, although recognized by her husband, was in fact an illegitimate son of Emperor Pedro I, her sister's lover. *Ana Cândida de Castro do Canto e Melo (January 1795 – 27 May 1834), married to Carlos Maria de Oliva, Veador of the Imperial Chamber and Colonel of the Army, with whom she had issue. *Fortunata de Castro do Canto e Melo (baptized 12 January 1797; died in infancy). *Francisco de Castro do Canto e Melo (5 April 1799 – 21 June 1869), Gentleman of the Imperial Chamber, Major retired of the Army; married firstly with Francisca Leite Penteado and secondly with Lina Pereira de Castro. He had issue from his second marriage. In addition, Domitila had an older illegitimate half-sister, Matilde Eufrosina de Castro, born from her father's earlier relationship (in fact, betrothal later terminated) with Teresa Braseiro.


First Marriage

On 13 January 1813, Domitila, at the age of fifteen, married an officer from the second squad of the Corps of Dragons in the city of Vila Rica (now
Ouro Preto Ouro Preto (, ), formerly Vila Rica (, ), is a Municipalities of Brazil, municipality in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The city, a former Brazilian Gold Rush, colonial mining town located in the Serra do Espinhaço mountains, was designated a ...
),
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Felício Pinto Coelho de Mendonça (26 February 1790 – 5 November 1833), cited by several historians as a violent man, who beat and raped her, and from whom she divorced on 21 May 1824. After the wedding in São Paulo, Felício and Domitila left for Vila Rica. Three children were born from the marriage: Due to her husband's mistreatment, Domitila obtained permission from his family in São Paulo to return to her father's home with her children. He arrived back in
São Paulo São Paulo (; ; Portuguese for 'Paul the Apostle, Saint Paul') is the capital of the São Paulo (state), state of São Paulo, as well as the List of cities in Brazil by population, most populous city in Brazil, the List of largest cities in the ...
at the end of 1816. Felício managed to transfer his post in the army from Vila Rica to Santos and settled in São Paulo, trying to reconcile with his wife and in 1818 they returned to live together. However, given his drinking and gambling problems, it did not take long for Felício to return with his old behavior, and began the beatings and death threats to his wife. On the morning of 6 March 1819, Felício surprised Domitila next to the Santa Luiza fountain and stabbed her twice, one stab caught in the thigh and the other in the belly. Felício was arrested and taken to Santos, next to his barracks, from where he left for
Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro, or simply Rio, is the capital of the Rio de Janeiro (state), state of Rio de Janeiro. It is the List of cities in Brazil by population, second-most-populous city in Brazil (after São Paulo) and the Largest cities in the America ...
. Domitila spent two months between life and death. When she recovered from her injuries, she had to fight legally against her father-in-law, who wanted to take the couple's children to educate them in the Captaincy of
Minas Gerais Minas Gerais () is one of the 27 federative units of Brazil, being the fourth largest state by area and the second largest in number of inhabitants with a population of 20,539,989 according to the 2022 Brazilian census, 2022 census. Located in ...
. Domitila asked for Felício's legal separation but only obtained it five years later, when she was already the Emperor's mistress. Domitila's detractors would accuse her after being assaulted because she betrayed Felício, when in reality, through documentation and witnesses in the divorce process, he had tried to kill her to sell the land that both, with the death of his mother, had jointly inherited in Minas Gerais.


Imperial Mistress

Domitila met Dom Pedro de Alcântara, Prince-Regent of
Brazil Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by area, fifth-largest country by area and the List of countries and dependencies by population ...
days before the Proclamation of the Independence on 29 August 1822. The Prince-Regent was returning from a visit to Santos when he received, on the banks of the
Ipiranga Brook The Ipiranga Brook (in Portuguese language, Portuguese: ''Riacho do Ipiranga'', ), is a river of São Paulo (state), São Paulo state in southeastern Brazil, historically known as the place where Pedro I of Brazil, Dom Pedro I declared the indepen ...
, in
São Paulo São Paulo (; ; Portuguese for 'Paul the Apostle, Saint Paul') is the capital of the São Paulo (state), state of São Paulo, as well as the List of cities in Brazil by population, most populous city in Brazil, the List of largest cities in the ...
, two missives (one from his wife, Princess
Maria Leopoldina of Austria Don (honorific), Dona Maria Leopoldina of Austria (22 January 1797 – 11 December 1826) was the first Empress of Brazil as the wife of Emperor Dom (title), Dom Pedro I of Brazil, Pedro I from 12 October 1822 until her death. She was ...
and another from José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva) that informed him about the decisions of the Portuguese Courts, in which Dom Pedro stopped being Prince-Regent and received orders to return to the continent. Outraged by this "interference with his acts as ruler", and influenced by whose defended the break with the metropolis—especially by José Bonifácio de Andrada—he decided to separate Brazil from the
Kingdom of Portugal and the Algarves Kingdom commonly refers to: * A monarchic state or realm ruled by a king or queen. ** A monarchic chiefdom, represented or governed by a king or queen. * Kingdom (biology), a category in biological taxonomy Kingdom may also refer to: Arts and me ...
. Domitila was not the only lover of Dom Pedro, but she was the most important and the one with whom he had the longest relationship. Before his marriage, the Prince-Regent had been involved with a French ballerina, named Noémi Thierry, with whom he had a son. During his relationship with Domitila he had other parallel ones, such as Adèle Bonpland (wife of French naturalist
Aimé Bonpland Aimé Jacques Alexandre Bonpland (; 22 August 1773 – 11 May 1858) was a French List of explorers, explorer and botany, botanist who traveled with Alexander von Humboldt in Latin America from 1799 to 1804. He co-authored volumes of the scie ...
) and the dressmaker Clemence Saisset (whose husband had a store on Rua do Ouvidor), with whom he had a son. In addition to these liaisons, Domitila's own sister, Maria Benedita de Castro do Canto e Melo, Baroness of Sorocaba, also had a son with Dom Pedro. In 1823, the now Emperor Pedro I installed Domitila at the Barão de Ubá street (today the Estácio neighborhood) which was her first residence in
Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro, or simply Rio, is the capital of the Rio de Janeiro (state), state of Rio de Janeiro. It is the List of cities in Brazil by population, second-most-populous city in Brazil (after São Paulo) and the Largest cities in the America ...
. One year later, and thanks to the support of her lover, Domitila was able to have her first marriage nullified. In 1826, she received as a gift the "''Casa Amarela''", as her mansion became known, at number 293 of the current Avenida D. Pedro II, near
Quinta da Boa Vista The Quinta da Boa Vista () is a public park of great historical importance located in the São Cristóvão (Rio de Janeiro), São Cristóvão neighbourhood, in the North zone of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The park was part of the garden ...
, in
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(where the Museum of the First Reign now operates). The Emperor bought the house from Dr. Teodoro Ferreira de Aguiar and ordered a renovation in a neoclassical style to the architect Pierre Joseph Pézerat. The internal mural paintings are the work of Francisco Pedro do Amaral, while the internal and external bas-reliefs by Zéphyrin Ferrez. Domitila was being elevated by her lover little by little. In 1824 she was created
Baroness Baron is a rank of nobility or title of honour, often hereditary, in various European countries, either current or historical. The female equivalent is baroness. Typically, the title denotes an aristocrat who ranks higher than a lord or knight ...
of Santos; on 4 April 1825 she was appointed Lady-in-waiting of Empress Maria Leopoldina, on 12 October of the same year was created
Viscountess A viscount ( , for male) or viscountess (, for female) is a title used in certain European countries for a noble of varying status. The status and any domain held by a viscount is a viscounty. In the case of French viscounts, the title is so ...
of Santos with designation as a
Grandee Grandee (; , ) is an official royal and noble ranks, aristocratic title conferred on some Spanish nobility. Holders of this dignity enjoyed similar privileges to those of the peerage of France during the , though in neither country did they ha ...
and, on 12 October 1826 she was finally created Marchioness of Santos. Besides all this titles, on 4 April 1827 the Emperor invested his mistress with the
Order of Saint Isabel The Order of Queen Saint Isabel () is a Roman Catholic dynastic order of which the Grand Mistress is the Duchess of Braganza. History King John VI of Portugal created the order on 4 November 1801 in honour of Queen Saint Isabel, consort of Po ...
, who was solely granted "to women of irreproachable conduct". Although Domitila was not born in that city, the Emperor, in an attempt to attack de Andrada brothers, born in Santos, would have given the titles to his mistress. José Bonifácio de Andrada, upon learning of this fact in his exile in
France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
, wrote to his friend Counselor Drummond: "Who would dream that the ''michela'' (prostitute) Domitila would be Viscountess of the homeland of the Andradas! What a brazen insult!". Domitila's family also received several imperial benefits: Her father became Viscount of Castro, her brother Francisco became the Emperor's Field Assistant and the rest of her siblings received ''Hidalgo'' precedence. Domitila's brother-in-law, Boaventura Delfim Pereira (husband of Maria Benedita), was made Baron of Sorocaba. From her relationship with Emperor Pedro I, Domitila had five children: Empress Maria Leopoldina died in 1826 due to complications caused by a miscarriage, amidst rumours who blame Domitila of the illness and death of the beloved Empress. The Marchioness of Santos' popularity, which was no longer the best, worsened, with her house in São Cristóvão being stoned and her brother-in-law, a butler of the Empress, received two shots. Her right to preside over medical appointments of the Empress, as her lady-in-waiting, was denied, and ministers and officials of the palace suggested that she should not continue to attend court. Emperor Pedro I ended his relationship with Domitila in 1829 due to his second marriage with
Amélie of Leuchtenberg Amélie of Leuchtenberg (; ; 31 July 1812 – 26 January 1873) was List of Brazilian consorts, Empress of Brazil as the wife of Pedro I of Brazil. She was the granddaughter of Josephine de Beauharnais, Empress of the First French Empire, French. ...
. Already since 1827 he had been looking for a noble blood bride but the sufferings caused to his late wife by him and the scandalous link with the Marchioness of Santos were seen with horror by European courts and several princesses refused to marry the Emperor. The Austrian ambassador to Rio de Janeiro, Baron Wenzel Philipp von Mareschal, wrote to
Vienna Vienna ( ; ; ) is the capital city, capital, List of largest cities in Austria, most populous city, and one of Federal states of Austria, nine federal states of Austria. It is Austria's primate city, with just over two million inhabitants. ...
about the future marriage of the Emperor and the banishment of the mistress: "Emperor D. Pedro was eventually convinced that the presence of the Lady of Santos would always be inopportune and that a simple change of residence would not satisfy anyone; he insisted on the sale of her properties, the which I heard was already provided and on her departure to São Paulo in eight or ten days". The Emperor bought the properties of the Marchioness of Santos in Rio de Janeiro for 240 ''contos'' (240
insurance policy In insurance, the insurance policy is a contract (generally a standard form contract) between the insurer and the policyholder, which determines the claim (legal), claims which the insurer is law, legally required to pay. In exchange for an initial ...
of the
Public Debt A country's gross government debt (also called public debt or sovereign debt) is the financial liabilities of the government sector. Changes in government debt over time reflect primarily borrowing due to past government deficits. A deficit occu ...
from the Amortization Box, of 1 ''contos de réis''), returning to Domitila "in banknotes of São Paulo" of the amount of 14 ''contos de réis'', two ''contos'' for the Amortization Box with which she had presented it, an allowance of 1 ''conto de réis'' per month put at your order, "at par or in banknotes". Regarding the residence bought from the former mistress, Mareschal says: "It will serve the young Queen and her court". It was Dona Maria da Glória, future Queen
Maria II of Portugal Dona Maria II (Maria da Glória Joana Carlota Leopoldina da Cruz Francisca Xavier de Paula Isidora Micaela Gabriela Rafaela Gonzaga de Habsburgo-Lorena e Bragança; 4 April 1819 – 15 November 1853) also known as "the Educator" () or as ...
; that is why it would later be known as the ''Queen's Palace'', as effectively Dona Maria da Glória settled there, albeit for a short period. Later was bought by the Viscount of Mauá and around 1900 the residence was acquired by the doctor Abel Parente, the protagonist of one of the biggest scandals in Rio de Janeiro, in 1910. It became the Museum of the First Reign in the late 1980s until 2011 when it was deactivated and the restoration and adaptation of the space began to receive the Fashion Museum - ''Casa da Marquesa de Santos''.


Second Marriage

Since 1833, Domitila had lived with the Brigadier Rafael Tobias de Aguiar (4 October 1794 – 7 October 1857), whom she officially married in the city of
Sorocaba Sorocaba () is a municipality in the interior of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. With over 723,000 inhabitants, it is the seventh-largest city in the state and the second-largest outside the Greater São Paulo region, ranking behind only Cam ...
on 14 June 1842. Rafael Tobias de Aguiar was not only a politician, but also a wealthy Sorocaban farmer: the base of his fortune was the trade in mules, but in time he ended up diversifying his business with sugar farms, cattle and horse breeding. The ''Tobian coa''t was created by him. Nicknamed the "''Reizinho de São Paulo''" (Little King of São Paulo) thanks to his fortune, he held the position of President of the Province of São Paulo for two terms and was elected Provincial Deputy for São Paulo. He ran twice for the position of Senator of the Empire, but his name was never chosen by Emperor
Pedro II of Brazil ''Don (honorific), Dom'' PedroII (Pedro de Alcântara João Carlos Leopoldo Salvador Bibiano Francisco Xavier de Paula Leocádio Miguel Gabriel Rafael Gonzaga; 2 December 1825 – 5 December 1891), nicknamed the Magnanimous (), was the List o ...
. In 1842, as one of the main leaders of the Liberal Revolution, after his marriage to the Marchioness of Santos and the eminent invasion of Sorocaba by the troops of Luís Alves de Lima e Silva, he fled to the south where he was captured. Taken to
Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro, or simply Rio, is the capital of the Rio de Janeiro (state), state of Rio de Janeiro. It is the List of cities in Brazil by population, second-most-populous city in Brazil (after São Paulo) and the Largest cities in the America ...
, he was incarcerated in the Fortress of Laje, located on a rock in the middle of
Guanabara Bay Guanabara Bay (, , ) is an oceanic bay in Southeast Brazil in the state of Rio de Janeiro (state), Rio de Janeiro. On its western shore lie the cities of Rio de Janeiro (city), Rio de Janeiro and Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, Duque de Caxias, a ...
. Domitila, on hearing of his arrest, arrived to the Imperial court where, by means of a representative, she pleaded to the Emperor that she could live with her husband in the Fortress of Laje to take care of his health, which was granted. In 1844, Rafael Tobias de Aguiar was given an
amnesty Amnesty () is defined as "A pardon extended by the government to a group or class of people, usually for a political offense; the act of a sovereign power officially forgiving certain classes of people who are subject to trial but have not yet be ...
and the couple returned to
São Paulo São Paulo (; ; Portuguese for 'Paul the Apostle, Saint Paul') is the capital of the São Paulo (state), state of São Paulo, as well as the List of cities in Brazil by population, most populous city in Brazil, the List of largest cities in the ...
, where they were received with a great party. Rafael Tobias de Aguiar died on board the Vapor Piratininga on 7 October 1857 on his way to
Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro, or simply Rio, is the capital of the Rio de Janeiro (state), state of Rio de Janeiro. It is the List of cities in Brazil by population, second-most-populous city in Brazil (after São Paulo) and the Largest cities in the America ...
in search of medical help. He was accompanied by his wife and one of the couple's children. Domitila's relationship with Rafael Tobias de Aguiar was the longest of her life, lasting 24 years, during which the couple had six children, of which 4 managed to reach adulthood:


The ''Solar da Marquesa de Santos''

On her return to São Paulo after the end of her relationship with Emperor Pedro I of Brazil, Domitila acquired in 1834 a vast mansion on the old Rua do Carmo, currently Rua Roberto Simonsen in the city center. The first owner of the property was Brigadier José Pinto de Morais Leme according to documentation from 1802. Previously, on the site, there were two houses that were renovated and gave rise to a single building. Domitila was the owner of these house from 1834 until her death in 1867. The property became the center of São Paulo society, animated by masquerade balls and literary evening parties given by the Marchioness of Santos. In 1880, the house was put up for auction and was acquired by the local Diocese, who transformed the Manor into the Episcopal Palace. The House today belongs to the City Hall of São Paulo, which has the Museum of the City installed there. Its historical importance is great not only because his link to Domitila but because the property is the only urban remnant built using the technique known as
rammed earth Rammed earth is a technique for construction, constructing foundations, floors, and walls using compacted natural raw materials such as soil, earth, chalk, Lime (material), lime, or gravel. It is an ancient method that has been revived recently ...
still existing in the historic center of the city.


Later years and death

After being widowed, the Marchioness of Santos became devout and charitable, seeking to help the helpless, protecting the miserable and hungry, caring for the sick and students of the Faculdade de Direito do Largo de São Francisco, in the center of the city of
São Paulo São Paulo (; ; Portuguese for 'Paul the Apostle, Saint Paul') is the capital of the São Paulo (state), state of São Paulo, as well as the List of cities in Brazil by population, most populous city in Brazil, the List of largest cities in the ...
. Domitila de Castro do Canto e Melo, Marchioness of Santos died of
enterocolitis Enterocolitis is an inflammation of the digestive tract, involving enteritis of the small intestine and colitis of the colon. It may be caused by various infections, with bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, or other causes. Common clinical mani ...
in her residence in the Rua do Carmo, now Roberto Simonsen, near the Pátio do Colégio, on 3 November 1867 aged 69. She was buried in the Cemitério da Consolação, whose original chapel was built with a donation made by Domitila by the amount of 2 ''contos de réis''. Despite information circulating that the cemetery's land was donated by the Marchioness of Santos, this version is incorrect. In fact, the cemetery was built, partly on land in the public domain and partly on land acquired from Marciano Pires de Oliveira for 200, 000 ''réis'', which donated another part. After the inauguration, the area was enlarged with land expropriated by councilor Ramalho and Joaquim Floriano Wanderley. Her grave in the Cemitério da Consolação, as well the two other plots she bought adjoining her gravesite —where her younger brother Francisco de Castro do Canto e Melo, her son Felício Pinto Coelho de Mendonça e Castro, and, after a recent discovery, her daughter the Countess of Iguaçu, were also buried—, were all recovered in the 1980s by the Italian accordionist Mario Zan, one of Domitila's most famous and fervent admirers; he took care of the deposit for the maintenance of the gravesites for years and when he died in 2006 he was buried in a tomb in front of the Marchioness. Even after his death, Mario Zan continues, in a way, to pay for the maintenance of Domitila's gravesite, because according to his will, the copyrights of his music were destined to this purpose. Domitila's grave always receives fresh flowers from people who continue to consider her a popular saint. Among the legends is that she protects the
prostitute Prostitution is a type of sex work that involves engaging in sexual activity in exchange for payment. The definition of "sexual activity" varies, and is often defined as an activity requiring physical contact (e.g., sexual intercourse, non-pe ...
s of the city and, due to having achieved a good marriage and restructuring worthily after her scandalous relationship with Emperor Pedro I of Brazil, she became an inspiration for girls who wanted to marry well. In her grave headstone there are plaques from devotees thanking her for some grace.


Ancestry


Representations in culture


Movies

*In the silent film ''O Grito do Ipiranga'' (1917), Domitila was portrayed by Luíza Lambertini. *In the
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film A film, also known as a movie or motion picture, is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, emotions, or atmosphere through the use of moving images that are generally, sinc ...
''Embrujo'' (1941), with direction and argumentation by Enrique Susini. *In the film ''Independência ou Morte'' (1972), Domitila was portrayed by
Glória Menezes Nilcedes Soares de Magalhães (née Guimarães; born 19 October 1934), known professionally as Glória Menezes, is a Brazilian actress. Life and career Glória Menezes was born in Pelotas, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Her real name, Nil ...
.


Theater

*In Viriato Correia's play ''A Marquesa de Santos'' (1938), the Marchioness of Santos was portrayed by Dulcina de Moraes. *At the
revue A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatre, theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance, and sketch comedy, sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural pre ...
''No Paço da Marquesa'' (1950), with the Vedette Virgínia Lane in the role of Domitila. *In the play ''O Imperador Galante'' (1954), written by Raimundo Magalhães Júnior, with Domitila being again portrayed by Dulcina de Moraes. *In the play ''Um grito de liberdade'' (1972), by Sérgio Viotti, with actress Nize Silva in the role of Domitila. *In the play ''Pedro e Domitila'' (1984), written by Ênio Gonçalves, Domitila was portrayed by Taya Perez. *In the monologue ''Marquesa de Santos: verso & reverso'' (2019), written by Paulo Rezzutti, Domitila was portrayed by Beth Araújo.


Radio

*Dramatization of ''A Marquesa de Santos'', by writer
Paulo Setúbal Paulo de Oliveira Leite Setúbal (January 1, 1893 – May 4, 1937) was a Brazilian writer, lawyer, journalist, essayist and poet. He occupied the 31st chair of the Academia Brasileira de Letras, Brazilian Academy of Letters from 1934 until his dea ...
by Rádio Nacional Rio de Janeiro, in 1946. *''D. Pedro e a Marquesa de Santos'', written by broadcaster Cassiano Gabus Mendes, was aired by
Rádio Record Rádio Record is a Brazilian radio station based in São Paulo, Brazil. It is part of the Grupo Record and operates in the frequency 1000 kHz AM. It has programming dedicated to sports, news, and popular programs. History Rádio Record wa ...
,
São Paulo São Paulo (; ; Portuguese for 'Paul the Apostle, Saint Paul') is the capital of the São Paulo (state), state of São Paulo, as well as the List of cities in Brazil by population, most populous city in Brazil, the List of largest cities in the ...
, on 7 September 1950.


Television

*In the televised play ''A Marquesa de Santos'', aired on 12 February 12, 1962 on the program Teatro Nove, on
TV Excelsior TV Excelsior was a Brazilian television network founded by Mário Wallace Simonsen on July 9, 1960, in São Paulo, São Paulo. Its last broadcast happened on September 30, 1970, when the Brazilian military dictatorship put an abrupt end to i ...
, Channel 9, São Paulo, the role of the Marchioness was portrayed by
Cleyde Yáconis Cleyde Yáconis (14 November 1923 – 15 April 2013) was a Brazilian actress. Life and career She began her career at Brazilian Comedy Theater (TBC) with her sister, actress Cacilda Becker. Having a repertoire of more varied and illustrious the ...
. *In the soap opera ''Helena'' (1987), the Marchioness was portrayed by Norma Suely. *In the mini-series ''Marquesa de Santos'' (1984) on
Rede Manchete Rede Manchete (; lit.: Headline Network; also known as TV Manchete or only Manchete) was a Brazilian television network that was founded in Rio de Janeiro on 5 June 1983 by the Ukrainian-Brazilian journalist and businessman Adolpho Bloch. The ...
, the Marchioness was portrayed by
Maitê Proença Maitê Proença Gallo (born 28 January 1958) is a Brazilian actress, television presenter and writer. Biography Maitê Proença was born in São Paulo, Brazil. Her mother was Margot Proença, a philosophy and music teacher who died when Maitê ...
. *In the miniseries ''Entre o Amor e a Espada'' (2001), by TVE Brasil, the Marchioness was portrayed by Rejane Santos. *In the
Rede Globo TV Globo (stylized as tvglobo; , ), formerly known as Rede Globo de Televisão (; shortened to Rede Globo) or simply known as Globo, is a Brazilian free-to-air television network, launched by media proprietor Roberto Marinho on 26 April 1965 ...
miniseries ''
O Quinto dos Infernos O Quinto dos Infernos is a 2002 Brazilian historical comedy television miniseries. It was written by Carlos Lombardi, and directed by Wolf Maya and 48 episodes were produced. The protagonist was Marcos Pasquim. Cast * Marcos Pasquim - D. Pedr ...
'' (2002), the role of the Marchioness was portrayed by
Luana Piovani Luana Elídia Afonso Piovani (, born 29 August 1976) is a Brazilian actress, TV host, and former model. Career Piovani started her career as a Ford Models Agency model in 1990 and a year later spent some time working in Japan. Piovani's firs ...
. *In Rede Globo's soap opera ''Novo Mundo'' (2017), the role of the Marchioness was portrayed by Agatha Moreira.


Opera

*''Marquesa de Santos'' (1948), composed by João Batista de Siqueira. Opera piece in three acts with libretto by Joaquim Ribeiro. *''Chalaça'' (1973), by conductor
Francisco Mignone Francisco Paulo Mignone (September 3, 1897, São Paulo – February 19, 1986, Rio de Janeiro) was one of the most significant figures in Brazilian classical music, and one of the most significant Brazilian composers after Heitor Villa-Lobos. ...
. *''Domitila'' (2000), with music and libretto by Rio de Janeiro composer João Guilherme Ripper, inspired by the love letters exchanged between Dom Pedro I and Domitila. The
soprano A soprano () is a type of classical singing voice and has the highest vocal range of all voice types. The soprano's vocal range (using scientific pitch notation) is from approximately middle C (C4) = 261 Hertz, Hz to A5 in Choir, choral ...
Maíra Lauter portrayed Domitila.


Rock

*The album "''Caso Real''" (2015) by the rock band Lítera that was inspired by the love affair between the Emperor
Pedro I of Brazil ''Don (honorific), Dom'' Pedro I (12 October 1798 – 24 September 1834), known in Brazil and in Portugal as "the Liberator" () or "the Soldier King" () in Portugal, was the founder and List of monarchs of Brazil, first ruler of the Empire of ...
and the Marquesa de Santos, through the book "''Titília e o Demonão – Cartas Inéditas de Dom Pedro I à Marquesa de Santos''", by the writer Paulo Rezzutti.


Sambas plots

*''Os amores célebres do Brasil'' (1966), from
Acadêmicos do Salgueiro Grêmio Recreativo Escola de Samba Acadêmicos do Salgueiro, popularly known simply as Salgueiro, is a popular samba school from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was established on March 5, 1953 from the merger of Morro do Salgueiro's two samba schoo ...
. *''A Favorita do Imperador'' (1964), from Imperatriz Leopoldinense. *''A flecha do cupido me pegou'' (1981), from Caprichosos de Pilares. *''Mulheres que Brilham – a força feminina no progresso social e cultural do país'' (2012), from
Vai-Vai Grêmio Recreativo Cultural Social Escola de Samba Vai-Vai , popularly known simply as Vai-Vai is a samba school from São Paulo, Brazil. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were in the neighborhood Bixiga, at Rua Marques Lion, a footba ...
. *''Paixões proibidas e outros amores'' (2014), from Nenê de Vila Matilde.


Notes


References


Bibliography

* * * * * * * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Castro, Domitila de 1797 births 1867 deaths People from São Paulo Brazilian people of Portuguese descent House of Braganza Ladies-in-waiting Brazilian nobility Royal mistresses 19th-century Brazilian people 19th-century Brazilian women Brazilian courtiers