at a glance

The Pedra de Guaratiba neighborhood is part of the Guaratiba administrative region, and is surrounded on all sides except one by the Guaratiba neighborhood. It is the most coveted place to live in the area, and one of the principal touristic hotspots of zona oeste (the West Zone) of the city.

At the end of the 16th century Manoel Velloso Espinha, veteran of the still recent war against the French, received the Guaratiba area as a reward for his successes in battle. The donation was made under the condition that the lands be occupied and cultivated.

When he died, years later, the proprieties had to be divided between his two sons, Jerônimo Velloso Cubas and Manoel Espinha Filho. The lands were split peacefully, with Jerônimo receiving the northern regions. As he had no heirs, these lands were eventually donated to the Carmelitana Fluminense, a religious organization of the Carmelite Order of Friars, which developed them by increasing sugarcane production and constructing churches.