Today is the anniversary of
RIO DE JANEIRO-Brazil
Rio de Janeiro,
nicknamed Cidade Maravilhosa (Wonderful City),
is known worldwide by its natural beauty and friendly people. Songs, poems and films made this special place memorable in the imaginary of the rest of the world that dream of visiting this land of eternal fun and beautiful, sunny, happy people. Sometimes, other not-so-flattering news also contributed for the city’s fame not in a good way, but luckily, it is still an exception. Today, Rio celebrates its 447 anniversary and it is looking very good for its age.
Although sometimes contradictory or shocking, Rio de Janeiro is above all a land of wonders, always presenting itself in a new and interesting way, enchanting visitors and locals alike.
There is not one Carioca (those who were born/raised/live there) who doesn’t know a
“great place” to enjoy, a secret location in town that mesmerizes those who get to know it.
City of big contrasts, with the poor living next door to the riches; you can do things in Rio that are almost unthinkable in other places. For example, one can take a waterfall bath during lunch hour in Jardim Botânico; can have a wonderful happy hour in a bar at Rua Pacheco Leão, while looking at an imperial palm tree planted by Emperor D. Pedro II; one can dance until morning in a night club and finish the night eating one of the best steaks ever at Bar Lamas in Flamengo, or watching the sunrise at any of the beaches in town. Not to mention Lapa’s nightlife with first-class root music, like chorinhos, sambas and much more. Much, much, much more.
Rio de Janeiro was founded by Estácio de Sá, son of general-governor Mem de Sá on March 1st, 1565, close to the Sugar-Loaf Mountain, on the foot of Dog Face Hill (Morro Cara de Cão), in the Urca District (one of the best places to live in Rio today), after a bloody battle with the Indians, in which Estácio de Sá was wounded by a poisoned arrow in his face (ouch!), dying a month later.
The city’s full name is São
Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro
(Saint Sebastian of Rio de Janeiro).
Curiosity: Rio is located at Guanabara Bay, but when the Portuguese first arrived there, they thought they were at the estuary of a huge river, and then named it Rio de Janeiro (River of January), because it was also the month of January.
There many interesting stories about this amazing city, in many places, but one can only understand the passion we are talking about when visiting and enjoying the jewels of that city.
Do not waste your
time thinking of other destinations.
Visit Rio at the first opportunity
you have.
