"continuing on the little bit of history" Rio de Janeiro Travelogue by dvideira
Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide: 4,276 reviews and 6,621 photos
From the beginning...
Being Bahia the centre of the new Portuguese colony, initial progress in Rio was slow, and only in the 1690s, when gold was discovered in the neighbouring state of Minas Gerais, did the city's fortunes look up, as it became the control and taxation centre for the gold trade.
During the seventeenth century the sugar cane economy brought new wealth to Rio, but despite being a prosperous entrepôt, the city remained poorly developed. For the most part it comprised a collection of narrow streets and alleys, cramped and dirty.
By the eighteenth century, the majority of Rio's inhabitants were African slaves. Unlike other foreign colonies, in Brazil miscegenation became the rule rather than the exception: even the Catholic Church tolerated procreation between the races, on the grounds that it supplied more souls to be saved. As a result, virtually nothing in Rio remained untouched by African customs, beliefs and behaviour - a state of affairs that clearly influences today's city, too, with its mixture of Afro-Brazilian music, spiritualist cults and cuisine.
The next leap in the development of the city took place from March 1808, when the Portuguese royal family chose Rio de Janeiro as their refuge from the threat of Napoleonic invasion. Dom João VI, the Portuguese monarch went so enamoured of Brazil that after Napoleon's defeat in 1815 he declined to return to Portugal and instead proclaimed "The United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves, of this side and the far side of the sea, and the Guinea Coast of Africa" - the greatest colonial empire of the age, with Rio de Janeiro as its capital. By the time the royal family returned to Portugal and Brazilian independence had been declared in 1822, the gold mines had been exhausted and had given way to another treasure: coffee. ( As a matter of fact Dom João himself never felt that good in the tropics and when things quieted down he moved back to Portugal, leaving his son Pedro in charge of things here and he would later declare the country independent . Dom Pedro was the first Emperor of Brazil and soon resigned in favor of his son Pedro II, who then was only 5 years old. The country would only enjoy some political stability after D. Pedro II gained majority, 9 years later. In the mid 1800's the city received major improvements with access to gas lights, plumbing, a sewage system, telephone and telegraph. A railway linking the city to the State of Minas Gerais was built - Central do Brasil.)
In the year of 1888 the African slaves were freed by Princess Isabel, and a large migration from the country fields to the city took place. Rio's first favela was born on the Providencia Hill. The dwellers were Black military who had fought in Bahia's Canudos War, and did not get support when they returned home. Favela is the name of a plant found in that region of Bahia.
Up to now ...
In 1889 the first Republic was born, under the rule of Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca, our first president.
Despite its continuous metamorphoses, the city remained something of a colonial design until the early 1900s, when wide streets were built and impressive, palatial buildings were erected, mainly in the French fin-de-siècle style, under the administration of the engineer Francisco Pereira Passos. The city was torn apart by a period of frenzied building between 1900 and 1910.
Rio was the capital of Brazil until the year of 1960, when President Juscelino Kubitschek inaugurated what was his dream vision of a model capital - Brasilia. Rio remained the cultural capital of the country, and the favorite city in Brazil. It is the capital of the State of Rio de Janeiro
In this old picture, you see the Avenida Central ( actual Avenida Rio Branco - downtown ) with Teatro Municipal and Fine Arts Accademy.
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Comments (70)
The elegant statue located in Corcovado in Brazil is an eye candy. Towering above the marvelous city with an enchanting view. http://www.travelamerica360.com/statue-of-christ-the-redeemer.html
Indeed! This is a very beautiful spot to have a good cup of coffee in Rio accompanied by the delicious Colombo's deserts and the unbeatable scenery.
I love your city. It is one of the most beautiful in the world! Just returned from there for the 3rd time. I might move there some day.
We ate at Marius during our last trip to Rio. What a rip off. Price was r170.00 per person + drinks and r20.00 for buffet. 2 times as expensive as the best places in Rio. The food was terrible. The sea food was completely over cooked.
Veery informative information on what to wear while in Rio. Thank you.
Your pages popped up on VT HP and i wish to say hello. Nice RIo photo. I have not been there yet but I am sure I will make it sometime. Have a nice day. Greetings
wow! I love havaianas. I've been collecting some for quite sometime. One of my ultimate dreams is to have a trip in Brazil. There are lots of limited editions (havaianas) being sold or even given away in there. *sigh. I hope I live in your place.
Terei que voltar ao meu Rio de janeiro.. realmente cidade maravilhosa.. Denise Rio esta nos meus projetos de viagem.. tomara que seja daqui a pouco... Um Abraço... Ismael
Ola ! Well, still a little too early for lunch now .. How is the night in Rio ? :-)
I enjoyed reading your tips! Saudades... Love markets, where colours, smells and flavours mix together. My last night in Rio (in January) I spent with Carioca friends in La Fiorentina! Liked the design of theirs menu. Even took a photo with Ary Barroso :)
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