Casa Branca traces its origins to a small, whitewashed house that served as a landmark along the Estrada Real road, the old gold route into Minas Gerais. The settlement that grew around it would eventually become the town we know today.

In the 19th century, settlers from Portugal’s Azores archipelago arrived in the region. To house the newcomers and their families, twenty-four homes were built, forming a settlement known as “Povoação dos Ilhéus.”

The arrival of the Mogiana Railway ushered in a period of prosperity for Casa Branca, which reached its economic peak during this time. The town’s historic buildings still bear witness to that past, including its ties to Brazil’s imperial family. This heritage spans generations, preserving not only the story of Casa Branca but also a part of Brazil’s own history.

Casa Branca has a tropical highland climate, with clear, dry winters and hot summers that bring brief showers and frequent mist. The weather varies throughout the year, allowing filmmakers to capture a range of different settings.

The Casarão do Barão de Casa Branca is one of the town’s most notable historic buildings. Once the baron’s residence, the colonial mansion also hosted Emperor Dom Pedro II during his visit in 1877. Despite later renovations, it retains decorative details that reflect the 19th-century style.

In the town center, the Casarão dos Vilella stands out along the cobblestone streets. Built in 1890, this imposing colonial house retains its original rammed-earth structure.

Opened in 1891 by the Mogiana Railway, Lagoa Branca station is a well-preserved reminder of the railway era in the São Paulo countryside. Its original flooring and the old water tank once used to supply steam locomotives offer diverse and distinctive settings for filming.

Casa Branca has three hotels with a total of 495 beds, along with fifty restaurants to serve production crews. The nearest international airport is about 160 km away.

With its historic mansions, cobblestone streets, and railway heritage, Casa Branca is an open-air catalogue of locations for period productions.

Nearest international airport: Viracopos (VCP)

Distance to nearest airport: 160 km

Distance to São Paulo: 232 km

Distance to GRU Airport: 254 km