City Tour of Architecture and Culture in Downtown Rio

Description

What to expect: In City Tour of Architecture and Culture in Downtown Rio, you will see the merge between old and new. Will visit downtown Rio where the craziness of our business center and the memories of more than 450 years of history are mix. After hotel pick up continue the group tour in Rio de Janeiro with a panoramic visit of Maracanã Stadium, where in 2014 the world cup took place. A stop at Bellini´s statue for picture and a stop at the Sambodromo (the stadium for the city´s main Carnival parade).Is a purpose-built parade area built for the Rio Carnival. The venue is also known as Passarela Professor Darcy Ribeiro or simply the Sambódromo. Is the place where samba schools parade competitively each year during the Rio Carnival. The parades attract many thousands of Brazilians and foreign tourists each year, and the structure is also used as a multi-purpose performance venue. The structures of the Sambadrome were designed by the architect Oscar Niemeyer (1907–2012), and represent his first major work in the city. Continue visiting the cone-shaped Metropolitan Cathedral, not only one of the Brazilian city’s landmarks, but also a masterpiece of modern art. With architecture inspired by the Mayan pyramids of Mexico, the conical shape is believed to give proximity to God. Four stained glass windows run from floor to ceiling forming a cross at the top. Then, visit the bohemian neighborhood of Lapa, the Escadaria Selarón – one of the most fascinating and original staircases in the world. The Escadaria Selarón, 125 meters of steps covered in bright tile, is a product of sheer determination by Selarón and they act are a source of inspiration for the neighborhood. See the São Bento Monastery, which has been compared to a museum, and has a monastic simplicity making it one of the most beautiful architectural complexes in Brazil. This is one of the finest colonial churches in Brazil. It was built between 1617 and 1641 on Morro de São Bento, and has an excellent view over the city. The simple facade hides a baroque interior richly decorated in gold. Among its historic treasures are wood carvings designed by Frei Domingos da Conceição and made by Alexandre Machado, and paintings by José de Oliveira Rosa. On the way back, along Aterro do Flamengo, you’ll see the Museum of Modern Art, the Monument to the Fallen in World War II, the Church of the Outeiro da Glória, the beaches of Flamengo and Botafogo and return to hotels via Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon. Come to City Tour of Architecture and Culture in Downtown Rio and enjoy a fun afternoon.

Visits or stops: Bellini Monument – Maracanã outside – Sambodromo – Metropolitan Cathedral – São Bento Monastery – Selaron Staircase