at a glance

very few sub-neighborhoods in rio de janeiro have such a distinct personality, history, and charm as what is known as 'saara'.

in the early 18h century, following the establishment of the dock of rio de janeiro, a road was built in order to transfer the cargo to and from the interior of the city - this street would be named afândega - portuguese for 'customs'.

historically the whole region had always received several waves of immigrants from a diverse array of backgrounds. 

this was especially the case after world war one, when many immigrants from the then-crumbling ottoman empire arrived in brazil through this very venue in to start a new life.