Portuguese 
Leonardo Coradelli, a masseur from a family connected to Joinville’s pharmaceutical network, began in 1996 to build a white castle on Petrópolis Street in Itaum, featuring more than 700 m², 16 large towers and 32 smaller ones, with seven rooms, six bedrooms, five bathrooms, and three kitchens. He passed away in July 2024
At the top of a hill in the Itaum neighborhood in south Joinville, a white castle with four floors, 48 towers, arches, and green stained glass stands out amid the urban area of the largest city in Santa Catarina. The construction was envisioned and designed by Leonardo Coradelli, a massage therapist who began his project in 1996 and lived there with his family until his death at 74 years old in July 2024.
The information was published by ND Mais on September 9, 2026, in a report by Yasmin Rech, with statements given by Leonardo Coradelli to NDTV RECORD in 2016.
White Castle on the Hill in Itaum, South Joinville
Those passing through the southern region of Joinville can come across the construction, which sits atop a hill in the Itaum neighborhood and is visible from afar.
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Towers, arches, and stained glass complete the white castle amid regular streets and houses, according to ND Mais.
Masseur from the Coradelli Family Connected to the City’s Pharmaceutical Network
Leonardo Coradelli was known for his work as a masseur and belonged to the traditional Coradelli family, connected to a pharmaceutical network in Joinville.
He was the one who envisioned and designed the castle, without resorting to an existing project.
“I was little, and I made sandcastles on the beach”
“It was small, and I made sandcastles on the beach. I will have to build a house for myself,” he said at the time.
Original design, without copying any castle, and having never visited one
Leonardo created his own design for the construction and stated that he did not try to replicate any specific castle. According to him, the inspiration came from his childhood imagination.
The masseur explained that he had never visited a castle before building his own.
Construction began in 1996
The project began to take form in 1996, according to ND Mais.
The construction resulted in the house where Leonardo lived with his family until his death in July 2024.
Over 700 m² and four stories on Petrópolis Street
Constructed on Petrópolis Street in the Itaum neighborhood, the castle occupies an area of over 700 square meters.
The structure is spread over four stories.
16 large towers and 32 smaller ones: 48 in total
The castle features 16 large towers and another 32 smaller ones, scattered across the four stories.
In total, there are 48 towers, which is the detail that stands out most to those who see the property from a distance.
21 rooms: seven living rooms, six bedrooms, five bathrooms, and three kitchens
In total, there are 21 rooms: seven living rooms, six bedrooms, five bathrooms, and three kitchens.
The layout shows a house designed for family living, not just a castle facade.
Green stained glass, arches, white walls, and a pool with a fountain
The construction features arches, windows, and green stained glass, which contrast with the white walls.
On the property, there is also a pool with a fountain, according to ND Mais.
Gravel, sand, cement, and bricks: about R$ 300 thousand, according to Leonardo himself
To build the property, common construction materials were used, such as gravel, sand, cement, bricks, and white paint.
Leonardo estimated that he invested about R$ 300 thousand in the construction.
Leonardo died in July 2024, and the castle remains on the top of the hill
Leonardo Coradelli died at the age of 74 in July 2024, in the house he started building in 1996.
As of September 2026, the castle on Petrópolis Street still stands in Itaum, described by ND Mais as one of the most curious constructions in Joinville.
In your opinion, should Leonardo Coradelli’s castle with 48 towers be preserved as a tourist attraction in Joinville, or is it just a family home like any other, albeit with a different shape? Leave your opinion in the comments.
