at a glance

turiaçu is a neighborhood located in the north zone (zona norte), one of rio de janeiro four zones. the bairro (neighborhood) is bordered by rocha miranda, irajá, vaz lobo, madureira and oswaldo cruz.

the bairro's name comes from a corruption of the portuguese word facho  (torch) as tury or tory. it is contracted with another portuguese word açú, meaning big, large or substantial. therefore, roughly translated, turiaçu means big torch or big fire.

the neighborhood is stituated where the estrada do otaviano (octavian road) continues towards the engenho do vira-mundo (turning world mill). the name of the road came from a merchant named otaviano josé da cunha. the largo otaviano (octavian lake) was also named after him - it is the location of the last molasses and rum operation, after the engenho de portela (portela mill) ceased operation.