at a glance

the region acted as the army headquarters during the reign of dom joão vi, and served as a comfortable neighborhood for soldiers and wealthy english immigrants, living within in their own homes or in nearby properties, complete with large gardens.

the most famous homestead was known as casa do bispo (bishop house), serving as the residence of bispo frei antônio do desterro. it was erected in the 17th century and eventually transformed into the são jose seminary. the building has been well-conserved until present day, and eventually turned into a cultural heritage site. the bispo held an enormous amount of influence in rio comprido during this era, and his lands extended so far as to receive the nickname 'pedra do bispo' (bishop rock). rua do bispo was opened in 1844, a street stretching from the praça condessa paulo de frontin, then called the largo do bispo. it was from there that rua da estrela and rua do rio comprido also began, now aristides lobo street.