at a glance

in the 18th century the area was known as sands of spain, and only had a few houses built around the church to our lady of lapa. in the 1770s it became home to the first public garden in the city, the passeio público. located between lapa and cinelândia, this is one of the first landscaped parks in brazil with enormous historical significance. designed by mestre valentim da fonseca e silva, the park was built in 1783 with fountains, sculptures, iron gates, and manicured flora -  this is wonderful spot for a walk or to relax and read a book - it was also in this epoch that the famous lapa's arches, originally an aqueduct, were built to transport drinking water to the growing city.