at a glance

vargem pequena is a neighborhood within the region of barra da tijuca in the zona oeste (west zone) of rio de janeiro - it is bordered by the neighborhoods of camorim, recreio dos bandeirantes, and vargem grande.

in the fifteenth century vargem pequena was a plot of farmland, which was originally acquired by a group of benedict monks - 'for two centuries, the Benedictine cultivated the region with cattle farming, manufacturing cassava flour and the production of sugar cane, which generated a cultural sugar center,' until plots of land were subdivided in 1936 and sold for the purpose of residential developments.

the recent construction of condominium communities has led to further urbanization inside this neighborhood, which is known for its eco-friendly culture - though its neighboring district, vargem grande, is home to one of the largest park reserves in the world, vargem pequena boasts its own, smaller environmental park, fazenda alegria or 'joy farm.'