at a glance

a main thoroughfare, the estrada real de santa cruz (royal road of holy cross) runs from the cancela lake in nearby são cristóvão and intersects with rua são luiz gonzaga and avenida dom helder camará. the main site was via rua da alegria (also known as mayor olimpio de melo), which ascends up to caju.

located at the shores of the cancela lake is the cast iron 'fountain of medusa', also called 'prohibition'. based on the sculpture by french artist henri frédéric. as part of the royal road to the corresponding rua são luís gonzaga, people stopped to water the horses.

the bairros thoroughfares are part of the area's character. for example, the street formerly known as the rua da alegria (happiness street) or its current name rua prefeito olimpio de melo (mayor olimpio de melo street), connects to the dock.