Escadaria do Bixiga, Historic stairs in Bixiga district, São Paulo, Brazil

Escadaria do Bixiga is an open-air staircase of 84 steps and 16 metres of height that links Rua Treze de Maio to the Morro dos Ingleses in São Paulo. Built in 1929, it is a protected landmark of the Bixiga neighbourhood and has served as a set for films, telenovelas and advertising.

Built in 1929 under Mayor Pires do Rio, the staircase was created to link the Italian working-class neighborhood below with the wealthier area above. This construction project reflected the social divisions that marked the city at that time.

The staircase serves as a gathering point where neighbors from different areas meet and chat on the steps or use it as a passage through the district. You can see how the Italian character of the lower neighborhood blends with the more upscale nature of the area above.

The staircase links Rua Treze de Maio with Morro dos Ingleses, so it works as a pedestrian shortcut between the two levels of Bixiga. The 84 steps rise 16 meters; there is no lift or ramp, so allow time for the climb and wear shoes with grip.

The staircase has appeared in films, telenovelas and advertising campaigns, a role noted in the sources alongside its status as a listed heritage asset of Bixiga. Its 84 steps and 16-metre rise make the slope between Rua Treze de Maio and Morro dos Ingleses easy to recognise on screen.