Rio is the 2nd largest city in Brasil (6.5 million people). In the early 19th century, the Queen of Portugal moved the capital of Portugal to Rio. The only case in the History of a capital of a European country on another continent. Brasil became independent in 1825. Rio is the most visited city in the Southern hemisphere, famous for the Christ Redeemer Statue, the Maracana football stadium, the Carnaval, and the beach lifestyle: Copacabana, Ipanema, Flamengo, Barra, Leblon…
I walked a lot. In this article, you will find only the pictures of the city monuments. Next article will be about the hiking with viewpoints on the city.
The Lapa steps are a piece of art by the Chilean artist Jorge Selaron, who started fixing tiles in front of his house in 1990, and extended years after years in the whole street, with colourful ceramic tiles and mirrors. Selaron was found dead on the steps in 2013, with burn marks on his body.
The Carioca aqueduct, in Lapa, built by the Portuguese to bring fresh water from the Carioca River to the population. It is now a bridge for the tram. Lapa is a great party area, you will see pictures in another article
The design of the Rio Cathedral is unique. Built in 1979, it is the largest in South America.
Some modern buildings also in the centre:
Little streets with cafés:
In this café, you pay what you want, nobody is here to check how much you give:
Inside a church:
A museum with paintings of the history of Brasil. The War of Independence:
I could not visit the Museum of Tomorrow, it was way too busy! But I will be back in Rio in a few months. Opened in December 2015, the design is quite amazing. I believe it is about environment, sustainability, etc…
The street painting on the pictures below is the largest in the world, finished just before the Olympics by the Brasilian artist Kobra. It shows indigenous men and women from 5 continents. It is 190 metres long. Impressive!!
With my Olympic partner Kylie:
The bridge to Niteroi, on the other side of the bay:
Pictures above were all taken in Centro. I also went on a bike tour, around the Lagoa lake:
Randomly, a taxi driver who’s playing Brasilian guitar and singing in the traffic:
Free access sport equipment can be used a bit everywhere. I found the city very clean. Maybe they cleaned it for the Olympics, but still: very different from what you could hear in the media.
I found a very good restaurant near the hostel, to which I went a few times. But other than this place, I do not think the food in Brasil is fantastic: often too cooked and dry. But I need to experience some more, when I will come back. I am not especially into sweets, but the Acai, a Brasilian berry, is delicious.
The metro line of Rio has been significantly extended for the Olympics. Digged in the rock.
And the Christ, protecting the city. I’ll go visit him in the next article.
takemethere 