Piso de Pedra Portuguesa Mosaico de Burle Marx de Copacabana, Beachfront mosaic promenade in Copacabana, Brazil
The Piso de Pedra Portuguesa is a mosaic floor made of thousands of black and white stones that covers the Copacabana promenade along Avenida Atlantica. The waves stretch for four kilometers from Forte de Copacabana to Leme, forming a continuous line parallel to the sea.
Roberto Burle Marx designed the wave pattern in 1970 on commission from the city of Rio de Janeiro to renew the old promenade. Craftsmen laid the stones by hand using the traditional Portuguese method known in Brazil since the 16th century.
The wavy floor bears the architect's name and appears as a giant drawing made of dark and light stones that imitates the sea. Locals jog or cycle daily across the pattern and use it as a natural landmark along the coast.
You can walk or cycle across the mosaic at any time, as it is a public walkway with no restrictions. Early morning or late afternoon offers the best view of the pattern, when light enhances the contrast between the stones.
The stones were laid so rainwater drains through the joints, keeping the surface dry even during heavy rain. Children often play hopping games on the white lines, while adults use the waves as a running track.
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