Whether you’re planning your ultimate world cruise or dreaming of a Brazilian vacation, there are few places more spectacular than Rio de Janeiro. The Cidade Maravilhosa (“Marvelous City”) is a dazzling destination with its own unique cultural identity. From iconic landmarks and famous festivals to world-class restaurants and fantastic museums, Rio has it all.
Beyond the well-known attractions, however, are hidden gems that offer a deeper understanding of Rio’s enchanting personality. From the stunning green neo-Gothic castle on Fiscal Island to the 215 tiled steps of Lapa, these authentic experiences reveal the soul of this fascinating city and its rich heritage.
Explore Rio’s historic downtown on a guided walk through neighborhoods that showcase the best of Brazil’s architectural past, then hop on and off the Rio VLT electric train to see the city’s revitalized port area. Get a closer look at the magnificent Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, then indulge in Brazilian street food at a local market. Finally, delve into Carnival culture by visiting the backstage of the city’s famed parades and getting an up-close view of the construction process of costumes and floats.
One of the most important aspects of Brazilian culture, this musical genre originated in the 1860s as a mixture of European instrumental music and rhythmic practices brought to Brazil by slaves. Known for its joyous beat and virtuosity, this expressive form of art is considered a Carioca immaterial treasure. At the CCBB Museum, you can learn about its origins and listen to recordings from some of the most accomplished choro artists in the country.
The neoclassical CCBB building in Rio’s center of town serves as home to some of the city’s main arts venues. The museum’s soaring ceilings, exquisite art collections, and outstanding theaters reflect the city’s history of artistic innovation. This cultural center is also the place to experience the vibrant fusion of Japanese/Brazilian and Afro-Brazilian cultures, as evidenced by the numerous events at the Museum of Japanese/Brazilian History and capoeira circles at the Afro-Brazilian Museum.
Located just off the coast of Guanabara Bay, this tiny island is home to one of Rio’s hidden gems. The castle is a green neo-Gothic structure that stands out against the modern skyline of Rio’s downtown. Its stunning wood-mosaic floors and Ceremonial Room, where Navy formal events are held, are reminiscent of the days when Brazil was still a monarchy.
Often associated with the Maghreb, Sub-Saharan https://www.guidefrancophoneriodejaneiro.com Africa, and Latin American/Caribbean countries that once belonged to France, Francophone literature portrays a beautiful array of perspectives and narratives that speak to issues like complex family relationships, adolescence, and gender and racial identity. While many of these works are not readily available in the United States, you can find a selection through the Library of Congress’s online catalog. For further research, contact librarians in the African and Middle Eastern Reading Room or in the Latin American, Caribbean & European Reading Room. They can point you to specific resources by region and country.