Urca town

One of the most beautiful and charming towns of Rio de Janeiro, the historic district of Urca is a mandatory visit for anyone who wants to know best the Wonderful City, joining beautiful sights and cultural programs. Know some of them.

The short wall of Urca

The short wall of Urca lining the waterfront is a relaxed place with a wonderful view at the margins of Guanabara Bay and overlooking the Christ Redeemer. Excelent option for a ride at late afternoon in the city, especially if accompanied by cold beer in the bottle, tasty snacks, and beautiful people. In its final stretch, in front of the Bar and Restaurant Urca, families and friends gather from morning to night.

Getting there: Rua Cândido Gaffrée, 205, Urca

Sugar Loaf

Between two hills, the Morro da Urca and Morro Cara de Cão, Sugar Loaf is a landmark because at its feet the portugese officer Estacio de Sa, landing on March 1, 1565, laid the foundations of the future city of Rio de Janeiro. Etched at the entrance of Guanabara Bay, this large block of solid rock, is composed of gneiss fragment resulting from a fold lying - originated in the geological processes that formed the spectacular Rio relief - it is a symbol of the city. The origin of the name of this hill is due the shape of sugar produced in the Madeira Island in Portugal that was poured into forms of clay cones, each unit was called "sugar loaf".

Getting there: Av. Pasteur, 520 - Urca
Telephone for information: (21) 2541-3737

Fortaleza de São João (Fort of St. John)

With elements of its construction dating back 1618, the Fortress São João (Fort of St. John) went through several changes until, in 1872, in the fiftieth year of independence, under orders of D. Pedro II. Today, besides the ruins of Forte São Teodósio, which stood there before being called to Fort St. John, are the 17 bunkers, built in stone washed, with 1,40 m thick. The old fort served as a prison of Tiradentes (the revolutionary leader of 18th century independence movement). Today the fortress is still manning the entrance to the bar and, in addition to Fort St. John, home to the National War College, the Institute for Research and Development and Physical Education of the Army.

Getting there: Av. João Luís Alves s/nº
Follow the short wall from Bar Urca for 300m until the gate of the fortress.

Instituto Benjamin Constant

The land was donated by D. Pedro to the Imperial Institute of the Blind Boys, reinstalling there its new headquarters.In 1872, there was the laying of the cornerstone, but only in 1896 the work was completed. It is a large building with huge Ionic columns on the porch and stately facade. During the construction period, had, as a director, Benjamin Constant, honored after the proclamation of the republic.

Address: Avenida Pasteur, 350 / 368

Museum of Earth Sciences

Located on the way to Sugarloaf, a wonderful neoclassical building of the late start of the last century has a huge trove of minerals, rocks and fossils. It was established in November 1909, one year after the National Exhibition held on the large terrace of Praia Vermelha. It now houses themed exhibitions. Among them, In the Age of Dinosaurs - which shows the collection of vertebrate fossils that lived in Brazil during the Mesozoic Era, its origins and descendants until the present day.

Address: Avenida Pasteur, 404
Phone: 21-2295-7596

Other attractions

Other attractions in the neighborhood include Praça General Tiburcio – Gen. Tiburcio Square place of 1935 Communist Insurgency, the track Claudio Coutinho, Rua Sao Sebastião (First Street in Rio de Janeiro, which began inside the fort), the statue St. Peter's of the Sea and the Church Nossa Senhora do Brasil, the Cassino da Urca, then the headquarters of TV Tupi, plus attractions like the local mansions itself and the residence of singer Roberto Carlos.

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