Rio’s Historic Downtown, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
If you can tear yourself away from the beautiful beaches and incredible landscapes of Rio’s coastline, you’ll find a treasure trove of sites in Rio’s historic downtown. With a long history as capital of both Portugal and Brazil, there is no shortage of heritage sites to visit.
In November, 1807 the Portuguese Royal Court relocated from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro to escape Napoleon’s invasion. Even though Brazil’s colonial capital had been moved from Salvador to Rio 45 years earlier. It was still a backwoods town at the time, without roads, a sewage system or many common conveniences of the time. Since it was to become the capital of Portugal, changes had to be made. The end result was Rio soon became a modernized city filled with public libraries, botanical gardens, public squares and opulent government buildings. Rio continued as Brazil’s capital after it achieved independence from Portugal and the construction of wonderful buildings continued. It wasn’t until 1960 that the capital was moved to Brasilia.
Today, Rio’s downtown is a mix of heritage buildings from the Portuguese Royals, its time as capital of an independent Brazil and more modern structures. Some have been lovingly restored, while others are in need of TLC. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
In November, 1807 the Portuguese Royal Court relocated from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro to escape Napoleon’s invasion. Even though Brazil’s colonial capital had been moved from Salvador to Rio 45 years earlier. It was still a backwoods town at the time, without roads, a sewage system or many common conveniences of the time. Since it was to become the capital of Portugal, changes had to be made. The end result was Rio soon became a modernized city filled with public libraries, botanical gardens, public squares and opulent government buildings. Rio continued as Brazil’s capital after it achieved independence from Portugal and the construction of wonderful buildings continued. It wasn’t until 1960 that the capital was moved to Brasilia.
Today, Rio’s downtown is a mix of heritage buildings from the Portuguese Royals, its time as capital of an independent Brazil and more modern structures. Some have been lovingly restored, while others are in need of TLC. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
How it works: The full article is featured in the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" on Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Download the app to your mobile device to read the article offline and create a self-guided walking tour to visit the sights featured in this article. The app's navigation functions guide you from one sight to the next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The GPSmyCity App
Sights Featured in This Article
Guide Name: Rio’s Historic Downtown
Guide Location: Brazil » Rio de Janeiro
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Insider Tips)
Author: Maggie Kayes
Read it on Author's Website: https://monkeystale.ca/2023/03/31/rios-historic-downtown/
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: Brazil » Rio de Janeiro
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Insider Tips)
Author: Maggie Kayes
Read it on Author's Website: https://monkeystale.ca/2023/03/31/rios-historic-downtown/
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Real Gabinete Português de Leitura
- São Francisco Square
- Igreja São Francisco de Paula
- Cinelândia Square
- Biblioteca Nacional
- Teatro Municipal
- Palácio Pedro Ernesto
- Catedral Metropolitana do Rio
- Aqueduto da Carioca
- Escadaria Selarón
- Jardim Botânico
- Christ the Redeemer
Insider Tips for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Ultimate Travel Guide to Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a city of considerable size and, one might argue, considerable flamboyance, is a place where mountains rise dramatically from the sea. It’s a city of contrasts. One might find oneself strolling along a beach, the sand warm beneath one’s feet, only to turn a corner and encounter a bustling marketplace overflowing with sights, sounds, and smells that would make even a... view more
Culinary Chaos: Eating in Rio de Janeiro
Dear fellow traveler, this is not your typical Rio de Janeiro restaurant guide. The recommendations contained herein are born of my own experiences, though on certain miserable occasions where I could not visit a restaurant myself, I have relied on the accounts of experts - people whose professional lives are spent in the pursuit of a decent crust of bread.
Niteroi- Rio de Janeiro's Underrated Neighbour
Alright, Niteroi might not boast iconic landmarks, such as Copacabana Beach, Sugar Loaf Mountain or the Christ the Redeemer statue. Nor can it quite match the atmosphere that Rio can generate. Not many cities can. But, what it lacks in instantly recognisable Instagram backdrops, it more than compensates with great beaches, wonderful food – and yes, fabulous views of its brash sister across the... view more
Top Restaurants and Dishes to Try in Rio de Janeiro
If you have found yourself in Rio de Janeiro, you may find yourself in need of sustenance, for even the most stoic and determined individual cannot subsist on sunshine alone. And so, one must eat. But what, you may ask, does one eat in a city where the very air seems to shimmer with a peculiar, almost edible, quality? That, dear reader, is the question that this Rio food and restaurants guide... view more
A Self-Guided City Tour of Rio de Janeiro's Historic Centre
Think of a city tour of Rio de Janeiro and you’ll no doubt conjure up images of blissful sandy beaches, spectacular scenery and streets laden with samba-consumed revellers dressed in outlandish costumes.
And yes, they’re an important part of the Rio experience. Perhaps less appreciated are the sights and sounds of the historic centre. Including its dark past when, just two centuries ago, it... view more
And yes, they’re an important part of the Rio experience. Perhaps less appreciated are the sights and sounds of the historic centre. Including its dark past when, just two centuries ago, it... view more
Beautiful Rio de Janeiro
Looking down at the multiple coves, bays and peninsulas that make up Rio de Janeiro’s spectacular coastline left us speechless. Long, white sandy beaches separate the azure-coloured ocean from the tall, granite spires. The city’s buildings climb up and down the verdant hills giving the city a natural look. Rio de Janeiro is set in one of the most picturesque spots on Brazil’s coast and has... view more
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
16 Uniquely Brazilian Souvenirs to Bring Home from Rio de Janeiro
Other than the sun, passion and football, for which Brazil is renowned and which cannot be fitted into one's luggage, picking a memorable gift from Rio is a tough job. And this is not because of the lack of suitable things to choose from, but because of their abundance. Indeed, there're...
Insider Tips Overview
