The history of Morro da Conceição and Pedra do Sal blends with the history of slavery in Brazil and, today, we cannot fail to remember the past, as signaled by Roberto Benjamin. “Despite the unfair situation of slavery, of the dispossession of enslaved people, of the separation policy from their families and ethnic groups, Africans and African descendants have made a fundamental contribution to Brazilian culture.” The slaves’ knowledge of the world, religion, music, dance, garment and cuisine have resisted centuries of oppression during the period of the Colony and of the Empire. The 21st century revealed the effervescence of the black movement, the search for improved social conditions. The recognition, in 2005, of the “Quilombo da Pedra do Sal” associated with the revitalization movement in the area, offers an opportunity to rediscover and make peace with the past.
‘The Salt Rock’ is, historically, one of the areas where the descendants of slaves from Bahia and Africa arrived at Rio de Janeiro. It changed its status from a region of trade of people to a region that sheltered these people amid the law of liberation of slaves, which did not provide the inclusion of slave descendants in Rio’s society. The rock got its name because it was the landing place of salt sold in the capital.
Address: R. Argemiro Bulcão, 1 – Saúde
Image Credits: http://www.artrio.art.br/
The Fortress is located at the Square Major Valô, or Largo da Santinha, and was built in 1713 to become one of the strategic points for the conservation and defense of the city of Rio de Janeiro. The site was high enough to install cannons that would sweep with its artillery the seafront stretch extending from Valongo to Praça Mauá – former Cais do Porto – and its reach was enough to defend the island ‘Ilha das Enxadas’.
Address: Rua Major Daemon, 81 - Morro da Conceição - access by Rua do Acre, Saúde
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Palácio da Conceição, located at the top of Morro da Conceição, neighboring Fortaleza da Conceição. was the former episcopal residence of the city . . The first prelate who lived in it was the third bishop of Rio de Janeiro, Dom Francisco de São Jerônimo, in 1702. Later, it housed the headquarters of the Geographic Service of the Army, and currently it is the headquarters of the Cartographic Museum, which retains some of the oldest maps in the country.
Address: Rua Major Daemon, 81, Morro da Conceição.
Phone: (21) 2223-2177
Image Credits: www.skyscrapercity.com
The jail was located across the street from Prainha, at the corner of Ladeira da Conceição, and, according to reports, it had a maximum capacity of 20 inmates, even though it has already held 400. It was Rio de Janeiro’s jail until 1840 and was deactivated in 1856, with the creation of a correction home (Presídio da Frei Caneca). Its building was put down in 1906 with the extension of the street and the modernization of the city, amid the ‘bota-abaixo’ undertaken by Mayor Pereira Passos.
Address: Rua do Acre, near the parking lot with Rua Mal. Floriano, next to Rua Major Daemon.
The Santa Rita Parish Matrix challenges, with its simple and beautiful facade, the greatness of local buildings in a harmonious confrontation between the Baroque-Rococo style of the 18th century and the boldness of modern architecture. The temple was elevated to a parish church condition on January 30, 1751, with the creation of the Parish of Santa Rita. It keeps relics of Santa Rita de Cássia and Santo Lenho and is listed by IPHAN.
Address: Largo de Santa Rita, s/n
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Tucked away in the foothills of Morro da Conceição, there is an important route named Camerino, where the hanging gardens of Valongo lies. Ornamented with statues brought from Quinta da Boa Vista, the gardens are attached to Casa da Guarda, ancient point of the city watch. It has a bucolic air and is still little known, even by the residents of Rio de Janeiro.
Architectural and urban landmark in the country, the building ‘The Night’ dominated the center of Rio at the time of its construction in 1929. Imposing, in its 22 floors, it contrasted with the buildings built so far in the city center, with up to 8 floors, and symbolized the beginning of the vertical integration of the city with the innovation of the use of reinforced concrete in construction works. It housed the studios and the auditorium of the National Radio, which had been the center of cultural life until the advent of TV. Important artists have worked there, such as Cauby Peixoto, Emilinha, Marlene, Dalva de Oliveira and Francisco Alves.
Pedra do Sal, known today as a meeting point of Rio's bohemian, was named “Salt Rock” because it was originally the place from where salt entered and was marketed in the capital. It was also a shelter for the slaves coming from Africa and Bahia. The region stretching from Praça Mauá to Cidade Nova became known historically as “Little Africa” and it was there, at parties in the homes of slaves and forrós, that urban samba carioca was born and that popular samba artists and old samba Carnival ranches appeared for the first time.
The charming bar opened in late 2004 in one of the birthplaces of samba’s neighborhoods. Claudinha, the owner of the place, has taken part in samba circles for years and decided then to open a place that she herself would like to attend Besides giving herself a treat, she managed to put together the most beautiful samba house in Rio.
Address: 155, Sacadura Cabral St.
Open from Tuesdays to Fridays from 6:30pm / Saturdays from 8:30pm
Phone: (21) 2516-0868
Website: www.trapichegamboa.com
Image Credits: Ana Paula Oliveira Migliari
On the way up to Morro da Conceição, one of the most peculiar refuges in Rio de Janeiro, the bar opens at lunchtime and is perfect for happy hours, offering executive dishes, Portuguese-Brazilian-inspired appetizers and a selection of impeccably icy beers.
Address: Ladeira do João Homem, 7 – Morro da Conceição
Funcionamento: Aberto de 2a a Sábado de 11h às 22h
Phone: (21) 2253-3999
Website: www.barimaculada.com.br
Image Credits: Redação Veja Rio
Until 1986, Gomes’ famous flour dish, “Angu”, was offered in stalls scattered throughout the city. A synonym for Rio’s tradition, the dish, prepared with cornmeal flour, can be served with various fillings such as meat, chicken and there is even a vegetarian option. Installed in Largo de São Francisco da Prainha since the 70s, it moved to two beautiful houses of the 19th century in the neihborhood.
Address: 75, Sacadura Cabral St. - Praça Mauá
Phone: (21) 2233-4561
Website: www.angudogomes.com.br
Image Credits: www.skyscrapercity.com
Casa Porto is the site for affirmation, information and transformation of Rio, particularly of the citizens of the port region. It hosts exhibitions, debates, concerts and classes.
Address: 4, Largo de São Francisco da Prainha
Website: www.facebook.com/acasaporto
Image Credits: Google Maps
First thought of by Fernando Libonati and Marco Nanini, the cultural center at the base of Morro da Providência houses a space for rehearsals and performances, as well as for activities for children, youth and adults, among classes of Muay-Thai, Jiu Jitsu, Yoga, theater, dance and visual arts.
Address: 279, Rua da Gamboa - Gamboa
Phone: (21) 3797-0100
Website: www.galpaogamboa.com.br
Image Credits: Léo Ramos
Originally from 1930, the factory that has produced candy was taken by potters, photographers, artists, graffiti artists, stylists, writers and craftsmen who occupy the site’s 20 thousand square meters, after years of neglect. Monthly events open the doors of workshops for public viewing, filling the environment with music, culture and art. Some artists offer introductory courses for those who want to learn to produce their own sculptures.
Address: 28, Orestes St. - Santo Cristo
Website: https://www.facebook.com/fabricabhering/
image Credits: www.timeout.com.br
This site is dedicated to the concentration of samba schools of the special group in Rio de Janeiro. It is there that the allegoric floats are planned and assembled and part of the costumes used in the parades are made . It has a program of samba shows that is temporarily suspended due to the revitalization works in Gamboa.
Address: 60, Rivadávia Correia St. - Gamboa
Phone: (21) 2213-2503
Website: http://cidadedosambarj.globo.com/
Image Credits: www.skyscrapercity.com
