Showing 1-16 of 16 results
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Arcos da Lapa
The landmark aqueduct dates from the mid-1700s when it was built to carry water from the Carioca River to downtown Rio. In a style reminiscent of ancient Rome, the 42 arches stand 64m high. Today, it carries the famous bonde on its way to and from Santa Teresa atop the hill.
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Centro
Rio's bustling commercial district, Centro is a blend of high-rise office buildings with remnants of its grand past still present in looming baroque churches, wide plazas and cobblestone streets.
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Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Glória do Outeiro
This tiny church atop Ladeira da Glória commands lovely views out over Parque do Flamengo and the bay. Considered one of the finest examples of religious colonial architecture in Brazil, the church dates from 1739 and became the favorite of the royal family upon their arrival in 1808.
Read more about Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Glória do Outeiro
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Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Candelária
The construction of the original church (dating from the late 16th century) on the present site was credited to a ship's captain who had nearly been shipwrecked at sea. Upon his safe return he vowed to build a church to NS de Candelária. A later design led to its present-day grandeur. Built between 1775 and 1894, NS de Candelária was the largest and wealthiest church of imperial Brazil.
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Igreja São Francisco da Penitência & Convento Santo Antônio
Overlooking the Largo da Carioca is the baroque Igreja São Francisco da Penitência, dating from 1726. Recently restored to its former glory, the church's sacristy, which dates from 1745, has blue Portuguese tiles and an elaborately carved altar made out of jacaranda wood. It also has a roof panel by José Oliveira Rosa depicting St Francis receiving the stigmata. The church's statue of Santo Antônio is an object of great devotion to many Cariocas in search of a husband or wife.
Read more about Igreja São Francisco da Penitência & Convento Santo Antônio
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Ilha Fiscal
This eye-catching lime-green, neo-gothic palace sitting in the Baía de Guanabara looks like something out of a child's fairy tale book. It was designed by engineer Adolfo del Vecchio and completed in 1889. Originally used to supervise port operations, the palace is famous as the location of the last Imperial Ball on 9 November 1889. Today it's open for guided tours three times a day from Thursday to Sunday; tours leave from the dock near Praça Quinze (usually by boat, but sometimes by van).
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Largo das Neves
A slice of small-town life in the city, this small square is the gathering point of neighborhood children and families who lounge in the benches by day. At night, the bars surrounding the square come alive with revelers crowding the walks. At times, MPB bands perform to a young crowd here. Largo das Neves is the terminus of the Paula Matos bonde line.
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Largo do Boticário
The brightly painted houses on this picturesque square date from the early 19th century. Largo do Boticário was named in honor of the Portuguese gentleman - Joaquim Luiz da Silva Souto - who once ran a boticário (apothecary), utilized by the royal family. The sound of a brook coming from the nearby forest adds to the square's charm. Occasional art and cultural events are hosted here.
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Mosteiro de São Bento
This is one of the finest colonial churches in Brazil. Built between 1617 and 1641 on Morro de São Bento, the monastery has a fine view over the city. The simple façade hides a baroque interior richly decorated in gold. Among its historic treasures are wood carvings designed by Frei Domingos da Conceição (and made by Alexandre Machado) and paintings by José de Oliveira Rosa. On Sunday, the High Mass at includes a choir of Benedictine monks singing Gregorian chants.
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Ponte Rio-Niterói
The Ponte (bridge) Rio-Niterói (Ponte Pres Costa E Silva) offers spectacular views of Baía de Guanabara. It is 15.5km long, 60m high and 26.6m wide, with two three-lane roads. There's a tollbooth 3km from the Niterói city center.
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Praça Floriano
The heart of modern Rio, the Praça Floriano comes to life at lunchtime and after work when the outdoor cafés are filled with beer drinkers, samba musicians and political debate. The square is also Rio's political marketplace. There are daily speechmaking, literature sales and street theater. Most city marches and rallies culminate here on the steps of the old Câmara Municipal (Town Hall) in the northwestern corner of the plaza.
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Praça Quinze de Novembro
The first residents on this historic site were Carmelite fathers who built a convent here in 1590. It later came under the property of the Portuguese crown and became Largo do Paço, which surrounded the royal palace (Paço Imperial). The square was later renamed Praça Quinze de Novembro after Brazil declared itself a republic on 15 November 1822.
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Sitio Burle Marx
This huge 350,000-sq-meter estate was once the home of Brazil's most famous landscape architect, Roberto Burle Marx. The estate's lush vegetation includes thousands of plant species, some of which are rare varieties from different corners of the globe. A 17th-century Benedictine chapel also lies on the estate, along with Burle Marx's original farmhouse and studio, where you can see displays of paintings, furniture and sculptures by the talented designer.
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Teatro Municipal
Built in 1905 in the style of the Paris Opera, the magnificent Teatro Municipal is the home of Rio's opera, orchestra and ballet. It's well worth booking a tour if you don't attend a performance there.
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Theatro Municipal
Built in 1905 in the style of the Paris Opera, the magnificent Municipal Theater is the home of Rio's opera, orchestra and ballet. Its lavish interior contains many beautiful details - including the stage curtain painted by Italian artist Eliseu Visconti, which contains portraits of 75 major figures from the arts: Carlos Gomes, Wagner and Rembrandt among others. Guided tours are a good way to see the theater, call 2299 1667 to book one. If you get a chance, come to a performance here.
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Travessa do Comércio
Beautiful two-story colonial townhouses line this narrow cobblestone street leading off Praça Quinze de Novembro. The archway, called Arco de Teles, leading into the area was once part of an old viaduct running between two buildings. Today, Travessa do Comércio contains half a dozen restaurants and drinking spots that open onto the streets. It's a favorite spot for Cariocas after work.
Showing 1-16 of 16 results
