Bica da Rainha, Historical fountain in Cosme Velho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Bica da Rainha is a stone fountain in Cosme Velho fed by a natural spring, surrounded by trees and vegetation that shade the area. The structure is simple and practical, with water flowing through old pipes to multiple collection points where visitors and locals fill their containers.
The fountain was built in the 19th century and named after Queen Maria I of Portugal, who visited to benefit from its healing waters. The place gained further royal recognition when other members of the royal family also came to drink from the spring.
The name refers to a queen's visit centuries ago, and locals still gather here to fill containers with water they believe helps their wellbeing. The spot remains a social hub where people exchange news while collecting water for home use.
The site is easy to reach on foot from the Corcovado Train station and has an open structure accessible at any time of day. Bring a container if you want to collect water, and wear sturdy shoes since the ground can be uneven and sometimes slippery.
The water flows from a natural spring that has never run dry, even as the city transformed and expanded around it over centuries. This makes it a rare window into an older Rio de Janeiro where natural water sources were woven into daily life.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
