at a glance

the Penha Circular Neighborhood is located in the zona norte - north zone of rio de janeiro. it is separated from Penha in the east by Avenida Lobo Junior, or 'Lobo Junior Avenue'. To the south it shares borders with the neighborhoods of olaria, engenho da rainha, vila cosmos and vila da penha. To the west it neighbors brás de pinaand cordovil.

As it is predominantly an industrial and commercial district, Penha Circular is intersected by the important Avenida Brasil, or 'Brazil Avenue', in the north, and the railroad, to the south.

Penha Circular, which translates as 'Circular Rock', is a neighborhood which grew beside the famous Penha region. The location earned its name from the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Penha, or 'Church of Our Lady of The Rock', built by captain Baltazar de Abreu Cardoso in the middle of the 17th century. The church stands atop Penha Rock, situated at the heart of a large green expanse, and has been renovated several times over the years.