nestled between the cabritos hill to the east, the jardim botânico to the west, the iconic christ on corcovado to the north, and the neighborhoods of ipanema and leblon to the south, the lagoa rodrigo de freitas (rodrigo de freitas lagoon) is among the most recognized vistas of rio de janeiro.

usually referred to as merely 'lagoa' this is one of the most beautiful areas of the zona sul of rio, home to landmark celebrations, areas for sports and pic-nics, and beautiful views.

throughout history, the lagoon has had several names. the indigenous local tribe called the lagoon sapopenipã, which means pond of flat roots.  

when the portuguese first discovered it, they called it the pond of herons, because at that time there were an abundance of herons living in the lagoon.