The romantic Parque Lage was bought in 1809 by an English lord, who had it transformed into landscaped gardens, and it then passed into the hands of a wealthy ship owner. In order to please his beautiful wife, the opera singer Gabriella Besanzoni Lage, he built the wonderful edifice that today houses the Fine Arts School. Concerts and shows are occasionally held here. There is a popular café on the lovely patio, while surrounding the park there is what remains of the native Atlantic rainforest.