Castelo can be defined as the region between Rio Branco Avenue, Santos Dumont Airport and 15 de Novembro Square (Praça XV). The area is well known because it is located where once stood Morro do Castelo. The hill sheltered the first walled fortress in the city of Rio de Janeiro and was put down in 1922, as part of the reforms which began in the early 20th century.
In the early days of the city occupation the area of Praça XV was known as Praia da Piaçaba. The square had its name changed a few times and it was only with the proclamation of the Republic that the name Praça XV de Novembro became official. The square housed the port of the city from the 16th century to the mid-1770s, when Valongo's Wharf was then built.
Praça XV has buildings that recall the second half of the 18th century. Many official properties of the Colonial and Imperial government as well as churches and chapels were built around it, such as the Palace of the Governors, Casa da Moeda and the Royal/ Imperial Palace. Currently, the region stands out for its gastronomic, historical and cultural scene, bringing together different cultural centers, restaurants and entertainment options.
Currently, it is called November 15 in honor of the Day of Proclamation of the Republic. However, its first name was Largo do Carmo, then Largo do Paço and later Praça D. Pedro II. It is one of the oldest places in Rio, and during the Colonial and Imperial times, it was the arrival point for those who came to Rio by the sea.
Image Credits: Carlos Luis M C da Cruz
Located in the central area of the city, the waterway station was built between the years 1904 and 1912. Nowadays, it is made up of three buildings, one for the passenger station, another one for the Operational Control Center and a third one for administrative offices of the company, all of which have shops and service areas.
Address: Praça XV de Novembro, s/n - Centro
Opening Hours: Everyday from 6 am to 11h30 pm
Website: www.grupoccr.com.br/barcas
Image Credits: Halley Pacheco de Oliveira
Built in 1743, it was first used as home of the Viceroys of Brazil. With the arrival of the court of King João VI, and the elevation of the Colony to the condition of the United Kingdom of Portugal and Algarve, the Palace became the seat of the Reign and the Empire of governments. After the Proclamation of the Republic, the deletion of the Imperial symbols started to take place By that time, the headquarters of Post and Telegraph were installed there. It has been restored as an attempt to maintain the characteristics of the early days.
Address: Praça XV de Novembro, 48 - Centro
Opening Hours: From Tuesday to Sunday from 12pm to 6pm
Website: www.pacoimperial.com.br
Image Credits: Cristiano Henrique Ferraz
The arch was built around 1743 and is part of the historical heritage of the city due to its architectural and cultural importance. The passage of the arch gives way to Travessa do Comércio, where one can walk through narrow and picturesque alleyways of an ancient Rio. The site is exclusive for pedestrians, keeping its original pavement made of small stones on the streets and larger ones on the sidewalks. Nowadays, cafes, bars and restaurants crowd the preserved buildings.
Image Credits:Google Street View
The Palace’s history begins in 1640, as the building for the Imperial Parliament. In its basement there was a jail for prisoners of the Colonial period. In there , Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, known as Tiradentes, remained jailed for three years while waiting for his execution for the crime of “treason against the King” Today, he lends his nickname to the palace. In 1975, with the merger of the states of Guanabara and Rio de Janeiro, it came to house the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro State – ALERJ.
Address: Primeiro de Março St., s/n - Praça XV - Centro
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm / Sundays and Holidays from 12pm to 5pm
Website: www.alerj.rj.gov.br
Image Credits: www.turistaaprendiz.org.br
It all started in 1608, when a small rustic chapel made of clay was built. Since that time, the site located on the seafront was intended for devotees of St. Joseph. Between 1808 and 1824, after heavy works, Igreja de São José was raised. It went through new additions in 1883: a beautiful 2-floor facade, the sacristy and a powerful set of bells, famous for being the loudest of the city.
Address: Presidente Antonio Carlos Ave., s/n - Centro
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm / Sunday from 9am to 11am
Image Credits: Antônio Lídio Gomes
The construction of the Church Nossa Senhora do Monte do Carmo, or Old Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro, refers to the arrival of the Carmelite friars to Rio de Janeiro in Colonial times. It has already been a Real chapel and hosted important historical events. The construction of the present church, which would replace the old small chapel, began in 1761. The works lasted 15 years and were conducted by Master Manuel Alves Setúbal.
Address: Sete de Setembro St. with Primeiro de Março St. - Centro
Opening Hours: Masses – Monday to Friday 8am / Saturday 10am / Sunday 9am and 11am
Website: www.antigase.com.br
Image Credits: www.skyscrapercity.com
For a while, young Carmen Miranda lived in one of the ancient buildings of Arco do Teles. Her mother owned a boarding house at the site and her father, a barber shop .Later she was to become one of the greatest Brazilian singers and afterwards, would establish herself as an international star, performing in Hollywood movies.
The construction of the Church Nossa Senhora do Monte do Carmo, or Old Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro, refers to the arrival of the Carmelite friars to Rio de Janeiro in Colonial times. It was already a Real chapel having hosted important historical events, such as the consecration of King João VI as King of Portugal, in 1816; the wedding of Prince Pedro I and D. Leopoldina of Austria. It was also the site for the crowning of Dom Pedro I, when he became Emperor of Brazil, whose scene is portrayed in a Jean Baptiste Debret painting.
The alley is so called because of the barbers who had their business there .In Colonial times they would busy themselves with activities other than just trim beards and mustaches with scissors: they used to practice an alternative medicine in which they would have the clients’ teeth extracted and would also use leeches to cure the sick. The alley is a remaining image of the layout of the streets of that time: covered with large stone blocks, where one can still see the old iron rails for the flow of rainwater from the Church Igreja da Ordem Terceira do Carmo, it is located on one of its sides, between the streets Primeiro de Março and Do Carmo.
The region next to the old port gained status in the first few decades of the 17th century, when the Carmelite Third Order began the construction of its headquarters. Later, in 1743, the building constructed by the Count of Bobadela to serve as official residence to the city rulers was concluded. With the rise of the city to the status of capital of the Viceroyalty of Brazil, in January 1763, the administrative center of Portuguese America was settled on the site. Next to the palace was the building that was used as headquarters to the Senate Chamber and as public jail of the city, taking in the accused of involvement in the movement of Minas Conspiracy, in 1792. It was there that Tiradentes came from his cell to execution.
The architectural complex which houses the National History Museum was originally Fort Santiago, at Ponta do Calabouço, one of the strategic spots for the defense of the city. After the arsenal was transferred, it was refurbished to house the Pavilion of Great Industries of International Exhibition in 1922. At the same year, the museum was created and now it has in its archive the largest numismatic collection of Latin America.
Address: Praça Marechal Âncora, s/n – next to Praça XV
Phone: (21) 3299-0324
Website: www.facebook.com/MuseuHistoricoNacional
Image Credits: www.guiadorio.net.br
Founded by the Spanish in mid-1953, Casa Villarino is both a bar and a deli. It was at one of its tables that, in the summer of 1956, Tom Jobim was introduced to Vinícius de Moraes to musicalize the play Orfeu da Conceição. It was also nearby that the expression “Bossa Nova” was created. An expression that no one knew for sure what it meant, ended up being the musical style that revolutionized and marked an era, admired in Brazil and worldwide.
Address: 6, Calógeras Ave, Lj. B.– at the corner of Presidente Wilson Ave.
Phone: (21) 2240-1627 / 2240-9634
Website: www.villarino.com.br
Image Credits: viajeaqui.abril.com.br
Besides the good, plentiful and cheap food at lunchtime during the week, the place also stages parties such as Jazz do Castelo and Samba do Castelo, which take place on Saturdays. The sandwiches and appetizers are hearty, accompanied by cold beer.
Address: 60 B, Churchill Ave. - Centro
Phone: (21) 2524-1365
Website: www.facebook.com/Sao-Quim
Image Credits: kekanto.com.br
The samba takes place on Saturday, every fortnight, and begins at 5pm in Ouvidor Street at the corner of Mercado Street. The event is free and it ends at around 9:30pm.
Address: Arco do Teles - Praça XV
Website: www.facebook.com/SambaDaOuvidor
Image Credits: Nico Kaiser
In the cultural hall of Praça XV, the venue promotes nights in the rhythm of forró, which can also take place outdoors.
Address: 12, Ouvidor Street - Centro
Phone: (021) 98872-5972
Website: www.facebook.com/gafieiramoderna
Image Credits: Maurício Leite
The restaurant specializes in fish and seafood and has been open since 1933 in the historic tower that is a remaining of the ancient Municipal Market of Praça XV. It offers a beautiful view of the Guanabara Bay, the Fiscal Island and the colorful boats anchored just outside.
Address: 186, Praça Marshal Anchor - Centro
Phone: (21) 3228-8644
Website: http://ancoramar.com.br/
Image Credits: Mari Germani
At night, the restaurant serves appetizers and other pub-like delicacies; it also offers lunch for the clientele in the region of Praça XV.
Address: 43, Ouvidor Street - Centro
Phone: (21) 2507-5040 / (21) 3173-5020
Website: www.facebook.com/restauranteantigamente
Image Credits: corremundo.com.br
