at a glance

in 1896 the very first electric-powered tram crossed the arches officially joining santa teresa to the rest of the city via public transport - the tram temporarily seized operation but is in the process of being reintroduced to the neighborhood.

although the aqueduct is quite long, only the portion commonly named 'lapa arches' is well known - the stretch used by the equally iconic yellow tram, affectionately called 'bondinho'.

the 20th century also saw the arcos da lapa at the center of city life - in fact, originally the aqueduct crossed a densely populated part of rio, with many homes and buildings surrounding the arches at close distance.

in in 1960 several of these buildings were demolished to highlight the arches as a monument, and to make space for the new commercial enterprises that found the location ideal as it was situated in relative proximity to both, the center of rio and the seaside areas.