Central Rio De Janeiro
Most visitors will want to see a bit more than beaches and mountain tops when sightseeing in Rio de Janeiro. For some history of this famous city, downtown Rio still holds some historic buildings hiding among the tall modern downtown city sprawl. Here is a list of the highlights with a link to extra pictures if underlined.
WillhiteWeb.com - Brazil Travel
The Roman Catholic Modern Cathedral was built in 1976. The huge cone shaped structure can fit up to 20,000 people. There are four 197 foot high stained glass windows.
The convent was built over several colonial periods starting in 1608 with the main building being completed in 1780. The church was built between 1657 to 1772 with an interior rich in gold leaf and woodcarvings.
The National Historic Museum is housed in a number of colonial buildings holding Brazil's national archives of documents and colonial artifacts. The museum is laid out in a timeline starting from the first inhabitants of the area to the people today.
Location for the State of Rio de Janeiro Parliament. Free admission with English signs and guides. Inside is nice and air-conditioned if you need a refresher.
This church was once the Metropolitan Cathedral and was completed in 1761. Both Brazilian emperors, Pedro I and Pedro II had their coronations here. Next door is the Ordem Terceira do Monte do Carmo church which dates to 1770.
Catedral Metropolitana
Built between 1775 and 1811, this church stands between the busy road of Avenida Presidente Vargas as traffic passes on each side. The cathedral was once near the waterfront before the land was filled for the current waterfront.
Igreja de Sao Francisco da Penitencia & Convento de Santo Antonio
Tiradentes Palace
Nossa Senhora do Carmo & Ordem Terceira do Monte do Carmo
Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Candelaria
At the Naval Cultural Center you will find nautical exhibits like an imperial barge built in Salvador in 1808, a torpedo boat constructed in the US in 1943, a British submarine, and boat cruises to Ilha Fiscal Palace built in 1889, the building that looks like a 14th-century French castle.
Espaco Cultural da Marinha
A replica of the Paris Opera House built in 1905. Tours not available.
The Sao Bento monastery overlooks the bay and dates from 1633. Inside the monastery has gold-leaf woodcarvings. The monastery is on a hill in downtown, one of just a few left from colonial times that haven't been removed.
Mosteiro de Sao Bento
The largest library in Latin America & the eighth largest in the world, holding around 15 million works. Bring ID to get in but even then they don't allow pictures inside.
Biblioteca Nacional
Teatro Municipal
The museum of modern art has national collections as well as visiting international exhibits. There is also a concert hall and show area.
Museu de Arte Moderna
One of the most famous stadiums in the world, built for the 1950 World Cup. This is where Pele scored his 1,000th goal in 1969. At one time, Maracana could hold up to 200,000 people but it is much less now.
Maracana
Teatro Municipal
Carioca Aqueduct
Biblioteca Nacional
Catedral Metropolitana
Tiradentes Palace
Palacio Guanabara
Inside Tiradentes Palace
Looking up to Santa Teresa from downtown
Building with a cross in it
Monument to WWII (Monumento dos Mortos da II Guerra Mundial)
Last remnants of the French
Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Candelaria
Inside the Catedral Metropolitana
The two churches: Nossa Senhora do Carmo & Ordem Terceira do Monte do Carmo
Inside the Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Candelaria
Inside the Ordem Terceira do Monte do Carmo
Mosteiro de Sao Bento
Praca Floriano fountain
Igreja de Sao Francisco da Penitencia & Convento de Santo Antonio
Novembro Square