at a glance

the most rapid changes to the area occured following the arrival of the portuguese royal family at the beginning of the 19th century, and the subsequent works which would lead to the origin of the ' jardim botânico '.

in the early 20th century the lagoon experienced an episode of stagnation and the canal of the jardim de alá was built to allow the water to flow. in the 1920s lagoa underwent sanitation reforms under the administrations of francisco pereira passos and also carlos césar de oliveira sampaio.

the district expanded through new housing development and road construction. whole neighborhoods were built by the waterfront of lagoa rodrigo de freitas, along epitácio pessoa avenue in upscale fashion - this location today is also home to the elite jockey club brasileiro.