Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, Lagoon and Olympic sports venue in Lagoa district, Brazil
Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas is a large lagoon in Rio de Janeiro bordered by neighborhoods like Ipanema and Copacabana, with an outlet channel connecting it to the Atlantic Ocean. The body of water accommodates rowing, canoeing, paddleboarding, and other water activities, surrounded by green spaces and local communities.
The lagoon was named in 1702 after Rodrigo de Freitas de Carvalho, a property owner in the area, and became an important focal point for Rio de Janeiro's expansion. Over time, it transformed from an agricultural backdrop into a central recreational and sporting hub for the growing city.
The lagoon's name comes from Rodrigo de Freitas de Carvalho, who married Petronilha Fagundes in 1702 at age 18 and gave the water its name. Since 1995 a giant illuminated Christmas tree has been set on a floating platform that moves around the lagoon each December. A colony of fishermen still works its shores.
The lagoon is easily accessible with multiple entry points around the shoreline for different activities and interests. A walking path circles the entire water body and links various sections, while public transport connects visitors to major access areas.
The lagoon's two islands were both created by human hands. Dredged soil from the 1922 canal project formed Caiçaras Island, which hosted the water skiing events of the 2007 Pan-American Games; Piraquê Island holds the Naval Club's sports department. The lagoon also hosted rowing and canoeing at the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics.
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