at a glance

in the mid-1920s, the companhia de melhoramentos da ilha do governador (governor's island improvement company) introduced the island's electric trolley. the line operated between ribeira and cocotá. the trolley operated up to 1964. it had been in competition with the new bus service since 1931 connecting ribeira to galeão. furthermore the company put in place a ferry service to the island.

ribeira boast several points of interest. casa do índio (indian house) was established in the 1960s to commemorate the indigenous people, who lived in this area prior to colonization - the igreja da sagrada família (holy family church) was built on the morro do ouro (gold hill) in 1913. the site of the church was donated by horácio fernandes da fonseca, a portuguese merchant.

ribeira is renowned as one of the gastronomic centers of Rio de Janeiro, specializing in seafood. It also has a famous and highly frequented fish market each Saturday. Praça Iaiá Garcia is a buzzing square, popular with locals and visitors who socialize here with friend and family. the square is located on rua praia da ribeira not far from the beach.