at a glance

The region boasts a wide range of shops an stalls selling everything from Arab spices, electronics, homeware supplies, clothes and much more - Indeed, many cariocas claim that what cannot be found in Saara, cannot be found anywhere else in Rio. saara, short for  sociedade de amigos das adjacências da rua da alfândega, maintains a webpage on this link, and can be contacted via this email.  

uniquely monumental and iconic, the metropolitan cathedral of rio de janeiro is located between centro and lapa. arguably the most important catholic place of worship in the city, it is the seat of the archbishop of rio -   it is nearly 350 feet in diameter and has a standing-room capacity for 20,000 people - or 5,000, if  seated.