Escadaria Selarón, Public art stairs in Lapa, Brazil
The Escadaria Selarón is a public art staircase linking the Lapa and Santa Teresa neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It stretches for 125 meters and is covered with more than two thousand colorful ceramic tiles.
Chilean artist Jorge Selarón began decorating the staircase in 1994 and worked on it until 2013. After his death that same year, the staircase became his memorial and now attracts visitors from around the world.
The staircase displays tiles from over sixty countries, brought here by travelers from around the world. In many places you can also spot Brazilian motifs in the national colors of blue, green and yellow.
The staircase is freely accessible all day, with morning hours bringing fewer visitors and better light for photos. You can reach it easily on foot from central Lapa, and the surrounding streets have a few cafes and shops.
Among the thousands of tiles, the image of a pregnant African woman appears again and again, a personal symbol the artist developed during his years of work. In some sections, Jorge Selarón also embedded ceramic shards and mirrors that reflect sunlight in unusual ways.
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Location: Santa Teresa
Inception: January 1, 1994
Architects: Jorge Selarón
Creator: Jorge Selarón
Length: 125 m
Creator: Jorge Selarón
Address: Rua Manoel Carneiro
Website: https://prefeitura.rio
GPS coordinates: -22.91541,-43.17941
Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:05
Brazilian architectural heritage reflects centuries of history, from colonial fortifications to contemporary structures. In São Paulo, the Flag Monument pays tribute to colonial expeditions, while in Belém, the Peace Theater recalls the prosperity of the rubber era. In Curitiba, the Oscar Niemeyer Museum showcases modern Brazilian architecture, and in Rio de Janeiro, the National Library holds over 9 million works in a neoclassical building. This collection brings together diverse sites that tell the story of the country’s development: military fortresses like São José de Macapá from the 18th century, cultural institutions like the Museum of Tomorrow focused on environmental issues, and managed natural spaces such as the Curitiba Botanical Garden. These sites offer an exploration of Brazil's history, architecture, and culture.
South America preserves a monumental heritage that reflects centuries of history, from pre-Columbian civilizations to the contemporary era. This collection includes archaeological sites, colonial-era religious buildings, public squares, and modern artistic creations scattered across the continent. Each monument tells a part of South American history, whether it be ancient fortresses, Baroque churches, or recent sculptures. Among these sites are the Santa Catalina Arch in Antigua, Guatemala, a 17th-century construction that once connected two convents; the Public Market in Porto Alegre, Brazil, a functioning 19th-century commercial building; and Desert Hand in Chile, a contemporary sculpture of 11 meters rising from the Atacama Desert. The Middle of the World monument near Quito, Ecuador, marks the equator line, while the Christ of the Pacific overlooks Lima from its hill. These monuments, whether of pre-Columbian, colonial, or modern origin, provide tangible insight into the cultural and architectural development of the South American continent.
Stairs serve not only to overcome elevation changes but often rank among the notable structures of their cities. The Spanish Steps in Rome with its 135 steps has connected two districts since 1725 and became a meeting point for locals and visitors. In Montmartre, 222 steps lead to the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur, while Jacob's Ladder on Saint Helena with 699 steps forms one of the longest straight stairways in the world. The selection includes various construction types: spiral staircases in medieval towers, rock-carved ascents to temples and fortresses, and modern outdoor stairs made of concrete and steel. Some stairs were built for practical reasons like the steps to Table Mountain in Cape Town, others as part of religious sites like the stairs to the Golden Rock in Myanmar. Each staircase tells the story of the engineering skills of its era and the people who use it daily.
Rio de Janeiro is more than a city; it is a living backdrop. Between mountains and sea, the Brazilian metropolis showcases its most famous landscapes: Christ the Redeemer overlooking Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf shining in the sun, Ipanema and Copacabana beaches where music and sand never sleep. But Rio is not just postcards. In the streets of Santa Teresa, colorful azulejos climb the Selarón stairs, museums reinvent the modern city, parks hide tropical forests, and lookouts reveal stunning panoramas. From samba to nature, from colonial heritage to futuristic architecture, each neighborhood tells a different face of Rio. Here are the must-visit places to experience its energy, beauty, and the unique joie de vivre.
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