Escadaria Selarón, Public art stairs in Lapa, Brazil
The Selarón Steps stretch 125 meters between Lapa and Santa Teresa neighborhoods, featuring over 2000 colorful tiles from more than 60 different countries.
Chilean artist Jorge Selarón began transforming these ordinary concrete steps in 1994, dedicating 23 years of his life to this continuous artistic project until 2013.
Each tile on the staircase represents contributions from international visitors, creating a permanent display of global connection through art in Rio de Janeiro.
The steps remain open throughout the day, with morning hours offering the best natural light for photographs and fewer visitors compared to afternoon peak times.
Among the thousands of tiles, several feature a recurring motif of an African pregnant woman, which Jorge Selarón incorporated as a personal symbolic element.
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 20241-120
Website: https://prefeitura.rio
GPS coordinates: -22.91541,-43.17941
Latest update: May 28, 2025 18:15
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.
Carioca Aqueduct
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Circo Voador
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Brazilian Historic and Geographic Institute
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Santa Teresa Tram
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Fundição Progresso
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Sala Cecília Meireles
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Automóvel Clube do Brasil
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Museu da Imagem e do Som
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Primavera do Passeio Público
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Gonçalves Dias no Passeio Público
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Chiquinha Gonzaga no Passeio Público
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Francisco Braga no Passeio Público
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Outono da Praça Paris
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Painel da Lapa
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Irineu Marinho no Passeio Público
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Verão do Passeio Público
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Victor Meirelles no Passeio Público
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Alberto Nepomuceno no Passeio Público
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Fonte do Tritão
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Museu da Imagem e do Som
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Paulo Silva no Passeio Público
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Gradil da Praça Paris
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Ferreira de Araújo no Passeio Público
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Pedro Américo no Passeio Público
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Mestre Valentim no Passeio Público
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Chafariz dos Golfinhos
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Portão da Praça Paris
372 mReviews
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