Little remains in Niterói of the village founded in 1573 by Arariboia. The city was repopulated more than two centuries later when an urban plan was drawn for Niterói, only after it received the status of the capital of the province, in 1835. At the beginning of the 20th century, a period of reforms known as "Renaissance Fluminense" tried to create an identity for the city by joining the commercial and political centers. In 1975, with the merge of the Guanabara state, Niterói ceased to be the capital of Rio, and, consequently, its development decreased . Thereafter, the effort concentrated on connecting the city centers by building the bridge Rio-Niterói. On the other hand, the city sought to define a new identity for itself . No wonder it began to compile Niemeyer’s works thus becoming the second city in Brazil concerning the amount of the architect’s pieces. The university aura is also present in the city, nourished by the presence of Universidade Federal Fluminense in several of its central neighborhoods. In general, it is said that the city has a special charm and it is true that it holds a number of leisure choices , including outdoor activities – especially its beautiful beaches – art options, culture and gastronomy.
Inaugurated in 1908, in honor of the founder of the city, the chief Arariboia, the “Station Arariboia Square”, or simply “Arariboia Station”, is the waterway passenger terminal, operated by the company CCR Barcas. It is located on the Square of the same name in the center of the city of Niterói, between the waterfront and the Avenue Visconde do Rio Branco.
Address:: Praça Arariboia, nº 6 e nº 8, Centro – Niterói.
Website: http://www.grupoccr.com.br/barcas
Image credits: www.niteroimais.com.br
The statue of Arariboia is located at Arariboia Square. It was inaugurated in 1973 to celebrate the 4th centenary of the city foundation and replaced a bronze bust in honor of the chief of the 20s. Previously, the square was known as Largo Martim Afonso or Largo do Mercado, where, up until 1889, it held a public market. With the dismantling of the market, the Square was built along with a waterway station that was later replaced by a more modern one.
Address: Praça Arariboia, s/n. Em frente a estação das Barcas.
Image Credits: leocadio.wikispaces.com
At the celebration of Niterói’s 400 anniversary , in 1973, the 1910’s first town hall had its name changed to Arariboia Palace anniversary Currently, it houses the Municipal Secretary of Finance. When the city became the state capital again, the palace was built to unite the City Hall and the City Council. However, due to disagreements between Council members and the Mayor, the building became solely the headquarters of the members of the City Hall, who remained there until the early 80s.
Address: Rua da Conceição, 100
Website: http://www.fazenda.niteroi.rj.gov.br
Image Credits: mapadecultura.rj.gov.br
A milestone of the Brazilian theater, it hosted the premiere of the National Drama Company of João Caetano dos Santos, a theater company composed by Brazilians who staged national authors in 1833. From 1842 until his death, in 1863, the place was administered by the actor and director who now lends his name to the building. It went through a rigorous restoration in the 90s, considering historical aspects and at the same time, being modernized.
Address: Rua Quinze de Novembro, 35 - Centro
Website: http://www.culturaniteroi.com.br/municipal/
Image Credits: mapadecultura.rj.gov.br
Part of Caminho Niemeyer, the Square was built on top of the first underground garage of Niterói and it is a homage to President Juscelino Kubitschek shown not only through the former president’s initials but also through a sculpture of Oscar Niemeyer and JK sitting on a bench of the Square. Moreover, the place displays a marquee designed by Niemeyer.
Address: Praça JK, s/n. Next to the boat station.
Built on top of the old demolished building the Town House and Jail of Niterói held both the Municipal Town House of Niterói (until 1975) and the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro (until 1918). After the merge with the state of Guanabara, the City Hall has been occupied, respectively , by the City Museum in 1997, the State Hemeroteca and, finally, , by the Secretary of Municipal Education since 1983.
Address: Rua Visconde de Uruguai, esquina com a Rua de São Pedro.
Phone: 21 2719-6779
Image Credits: Emir Zar
The architectural ensemble listed by the State Heritage consists of the Square, which bears the monument “Triumph to the Republic”, and the public buildings surrounding it ; the State Public Library, the City of Niterói’s Town House (former Legislative Assembly of the State), the Lycée Nilo Peçanha (former Central School), the regional Civil Police headquarters (former Palace of the Police) and Niterói’s Forum (former Palace of Justice).
Address: Praça da República s/n. At the corner of Av. Ernani Amaral Peixoto with Rua Manoel de Abreu.
Image Credits: tripadvisor.com.br
Opened in 2007, the popular theater of Niterói is also part of Caminho Niemeyer . The interior of the theater holds only 380 seats, but it has a reversible stage that may face a Square, and can host outdoor performances for up to 10 thousand people. The Guanabara Bay may be seen inside the theater through a glass wall, and ceramics with Niemeyer’s designs adorn the facade.
Address: Rua Jornalista Rogério Coelho Neto – Centro.
Phone: (21) 2613-2734
Image Credits: www.denverimper.com.br
The name ‘Niterói’ has already been written "Nictheroy" or "Nitheroy" and has an indigenous origin: it is a popular belief that , it means "water that hides" in the Tupi language. The name was given the city in 1835, when the place known as Vila Real da Praia Grande became the capital of the province of Rio de Janeiro – a situation that would last, except for the period between 1893 to 1903, until 1975, when the states of Guanabara and Rio de Janeiro merged into one.
The design of a bridge connecting Rio and Niterói dates back to the late 19th century. The two neighboring towns were separated by Guanabara Bay or by a trip of over 100 km, around the bay, via Magé. However, in 1963, a working group was created in order to design its construction, authorized by President Costa e Silva, whose name was given to the bridge, popularly known as Rio-Niterói. Its building got to the end on March 4, 1974 and, with a total length of 13.29 km, it is currently the 11th largest bridge in the world. It is said that Rio’s construction industry almost went into collapse due to the lack of cement in the market, caused by the demand of the bridge construction.
The prophet Gentileza showed up in Niterói soon after a major disaster, the fire at the Gran-Circus Norte Americano in 1961. José Datrino, that’s his real name, did not lose his family in this sad event. However, ever since the fire and throughout 4 years, he lived apart from them , in what was left of the circus. He planted a garden there, the “Paraíso Gentileza”, where he took up a prophet's mission: devoted himself to the spiritual world and spread his word for over 35 years.
The first fortress erected around the Guanabara Bay in 1555, the Fortress of Santa Cruz is located at the bay entrance channel. All vessels arriving at the port of Rio de Janeiro have to go through it. The fortress also offers visitors a privileged view of the nearby town, for being the spot in Niterói which is closest to the city of Rio Only 1.5 kilometers separates the Fortress from the Wonderful City.
In 1908, a young 17-year-old psychic gave rise to Umbanda movement in Brazil, in the surroundings of Niterói, at the former Federação Espírita located in São Gonçalo. Through the manifestation of Caboclos’ spirits and Pretos Velhos , Zélio Fernandino de Moraes introduced a new cult at that spiritualist table, which was to become a religion and be called Umbanda. The group founded was named Tenda Espírita Nossa Senhora da Piedade.
Located in Ponta D'Areia, São Pedro Market is a fish market with 40 booths set in two floors: the first floor hosts the stalls of spices and seafood, while the second floor holds restaurants where customers can have the fish bought downstairs prepared.
Address: 55, Visconde do Rio Branco St. - Ponta D’Areia
Opening Hours: from Tuesday to Saturday, from 6am-4pm, Sundays and holidays, 6am-2pm
Website: www.restaurantebompeixe.com.br
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The traditional percussion instrument lends its name to the samba house founded over 30 years by tambourine player Ilton Mendes and his wife, Hilda. It opens every 15 days, on Saturday nights, with renowned samba shows and a menu that includes bean soup, crab tartlet, dried beef with cassava and fried sardines. It has received many famous people, among them: Beth Carvalho, Arlindo Cruz, Monarco, Nelson Sargento, Délcio Carvalho, Dudu Nobre and Dona Ivone Lara.
Address: 1554, Estrada Velha de Maricá - Pendotiba
Phone: (21) 2616-1239
Website: www.facebook.com/candongueiro.oficial
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Sunday is the day of Clube do Choro, Chorinho club, led by trumpeter Silvério Pontes and his guests, which s starts at 1pm. A buffet of appetizers and feijoada is served to the repertoire of genuine Brazilian rhythm.
Address: 735, Pref. Silvio Picanço Ave. - São Francisco
Phone: (021) 2619-8634
Website: https://www.facebook.com/baritaliaoficial/
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Since 1906 up until the 60s, the building has housed the plant and repair shops of Niterói’s trams. In the 70s, when the trams were replaced by trolleys and then by buses, a part of it was demolished for the construction of the access roads to the bridge Rio-Niterói. In 2009, an agreement between the City Hall and a supermarket chain allowed the creation of the Cultural Center.
Address: 100, Marquês de Paraná St. Centro - Niterói
Phone: (21) 2620-8169
Website: www.abrigodebondes.blogspot.com.br
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The old Manor House Bartholdy, now known as Solar do Jambeiro, was built in 1872 by the Portuguese merchant Bento Joaquim Alves Pereira and is representative of urban residential architecture of the 19th century. The building is called “Solar” because it occupies the center of the land, allowing the sun to come from all its sides, and features authentic patterned tiles on the external walls and roof eaves of China.
Address: 195, Pres. Domiciano St. - Ingá
Phone: (21) 2109-2222
Website: http://culturaniteroi.com.br/solar/
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Niterói has 11 beaches in Guanabara Bay (Gragoatá, Boa Viagem, Flexas, Icaraí, São Francisco, Charitas, Jurujuba, Adão, Eva, Imbuhy and Praia do Forte) and five oceanic beaches: Itacoatiara, Itaipu, Camboinhas, Sossego and Piratininga. While the former are rich in buildings and trade in the surrounding area, the others are inviting for a swim. Itacoatiara, one of the most sought after on weekends and the stage for surfing competitions, is a small paradise, with a 700m long shore between Alto Mourão and Morro das Andorinhas.
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