Rio de Janeiro: between the sea, the hills, and the soul of Brazil
Rio de Janeiro is more than a city — it is a living symbol of Brazil’s spirit, where nature and concrete, rhythm and silence, faith and celebration all coexist.
Origins and foundation
The story of Rio began in the 16th century. On March 1, 1565, the Portuguese explorer Estácio de Sá founded the city of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro on the shores of Guanabara Bay, after battles with the French who tried to occupy the region. The name came from the month of its discovery (Janeiro, January) and from Portugal’s king, Dom Sebastião.
During the colonial period, Rio grew as an important port, exporting gold and coffee from the interior to Europe.
Capital of Brazil and of the Portuguese Crown
In 1763, Rio de Janeiro became the capital of colonial Brazil, replacing Salvador. Then, in 1808, when the Portuguese royal family fled from Napoleon’s invasion, Rio became the capital of the entire Portuguese Empire — the only time in history that the capital of Portugal existed outside of Europe.
This period brought theaters, schools, libraries, and urban growth to the city. Rio became the political and cultural heart of Brazil.
Republic, art, and identity
After independence and the proclamation of the Republic, Rio remained the federal capital until 1960, when Brasília was inaugurated. Even after that, the city kept its symbolic strength — the birthplace of samba, bossa nova, football, and carnival.
Rio became a stage for cultural and social movements, reflecting the spirit of the Brazilian people: creative, resilient, and full of life.
Culture and beauty
Rio is a fusion of nature and human expression.
The Christ the Redeemer, standing atop Corcovado Mountain, is one of the most iconic monuments in the world.
The beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon are global postcards.
The Rio Carnival, with its parades and street parties, is the biggest popular celebration on the planet.
In the arts, Rio is home to poets, musicians, and thinkers who turned daily life into poetry — Cartola, Tom Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes, Cazuza, Machado de Assis, and many more.
Rio today
Today, Rio lives between contrasts — beauty and inequality, vibrant culture and social challenges. But it remains a city with a unique soul, where nature and creativity meet at every corner.
Rio is a city that never fits entirely into a photo — because part of it lives in the heart of those who feel it.
