Carnival 2025

Feb 28th - Mar 08th

Flamengo | Meet the Rio Neighborhoods

Rio de Janeiro

Flamengo | Meet the Rio Neighborhoods

Flamengo is right in front of the Guanabara Bay, in this beautiful landscape Burle Marx designed the Aterro, a park full of sport options.

This middle class neighborhood is located besides Botafogo, at the edge of Guanabara Bay. Many claim that Flamengo was named after the beautiful pink birds that used to dominate the then marshy area when the Portuguese first landed here, while others insist it was named after Flemish prisoners of war who were kept here in the 17th century. This area and Catete have a number of interesting places worth a visit.

The Aterro or Flamengo Park

Officially called Parque Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes, this 1960’s project was Brazil’s largest reclamation undertaking. The park covers an area of 1.2 million square meters of land reclaimed from Guanabara Bay. Landscaped by Burle Max, today the park holds a significant position in sporting traditions. It is the place where marathons end and where a segment of Rio de Janeiro’s Cycling Race takes place. The park also contains a statue of the Aztec emperor, Cuauhtémoc.

Museu Carmen Miranda

Located at the Southern end of Aterro Park, this museum is dedicated to a famous entertainment star and contains over 3000 items, including her gowns, shoes, turbans and jewellery.

World War II Monument

Also located within the park is Rio de Janeiro’s monument to the soldiers who died battling in Italy in WW II. It contains a beautiful underground marbled crypt, containing the remains of the soldiers who were originally buried in Italy, as well as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. A small museum displays some military artefacts of the period.

Museu da República

Orginally the Catete Palace, till the creation of the Republic and then the official presidential residence, is a fine example of mid 19th century Rio de Janeiro architecture. The lavishness of the original palace is still evident today with ornate bronze sculptures by Rodolfo Bernadelli, lavish chandeliers in the Venetian Salon and intricate Islamic art in the Moorish Hall, which was reserved as a smoking and games room exclusively for men. The top rooms contain the private presidential rooms, including the one where Getúlio Vargas committed suicide in 1954.

Casa de Arte e Cultura Julieta de Serpa

This cultural center, housed in a beautiful 19th century mansion, is the venue for numerous concerts, plays and exhibitions ranging from art and sculpture to jewelery and fashion.  The ornate interiors of the manor provide a formal setting for the center’s several fine dining and drinking areas. The Piano Bar plays jazz and other live music, while the Blason restaurant makes you feel like you are sitting at a bistro in France. At the Salão D’Or tea room you will find the most exquisite tea time snacks and refreshments in all of Flamengo.

 

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