Visit Rio! In Autumn...

Clear skies, mild temperatures... a delight!

Monument of Christ, the Redeemer


The momument is on Corcovado Mt. at the Tijuca Park!

Floresta da Tijuca

Rio, painted from Niterói, Henri Nicolas Vinet, XIXth c.

For its lush abundance, the Atlantic Rainforest became an inspiration for many foreign artists, botanists and naturalists.

Floresta da Tijuca, Henri Nicolas Vinet XIXth c.


But in the city, the forest was already deteriorated by extreme exploitation of its resources - logs for construction; firewood and coal for the numerous sugar-mills, brickyards, and domestic uses - as well as to extend coffee farming in almost all areas. 
In 1797, there were 120 sugar-mills. 
In 1763, coffee began to be planted uphill, protecting from the marshes down the plains. 
Only inaccessible gorges kept the original vegetation. 

Droughts succeeded, as well as historical floods. Either rivers dried, threatening water supply, or landslides provoked calamities. 

In 1856, sites began to be expropriated, and in 1861, a protected area called Floresta da Tijuca was created, and a reforestation program began. From 1861 to 1874, the man-in-charge, Major Archer used native species from adjacent regions. And from 1877 to 1887, it was carried on by the baron of Escragnolle, using also exotic species, with a total of around 95 thousand seedlings.


Escragnolle, who had his home uphill, with the help of  Auguste Glaziou, the Emperor's own landscaper, transformed the Tijuca Forest into an area of leisure and amusement, building roads, parks, belvederes, fountains, tracks, bridges and artificial lakes.

In 1943, Castro Maya, from a traditional family, was charged with the mission of refurbishing Escragnolle's and Glaziou's works.

Cascatinha Taunay

próximo à Cascatinha Taunay

Açude da Solidão

Quatis

Vista Chinesa

Paineiras

privileged view!

The Tijuca National Park

It was created in 1961 to protect the Tijuca massif 
 and its forest - “the lungs” of the city. 

In 1991, it was included in Unesco’s MAB Program as a Biosphere Reserve.

mico-estrela

tucano-de-bico-preto

preguiça

Embaúba

The Embaúba is so important for the whole regeneration of the forest. It is a pioneer plant. Its seeds lay dormant until a clearing happens, either naturally or induced. Then, it grows fast for it is hollow, and makes shade for the other species that need it to grow. And the sloth loves its fruit!!

silvered-leaves-embaúba

see more

Pedra da Gávea

Pedra da Gávea (Crow's nest Rock) is one of the landmarks of Rio.

It is situated in the São Conrado area, with the beach of Pepino at its foot.

In the XIXth c., there used to be a coffee farm.

Nowadays, a golf club!

Pedra da Gávea in the film "Rio"!

Different from the film, in Rio, the hang gliders and paragliders land on a reserved area at Pepino beach!