at a glance

morro do pasmado affords some fine views of the natural form that has become such a recognized symbol of rio de janeiro - portuguese settlers named the mountain 'pão de açúcar' (sugar loaf), partially due to its appearance, but also alluding to the sugarcane trade which saw its peak in brazil in the 16th and 17th centuries.

raw sugar was refined through a series of heating and filtering processes - the last phase involved pouring the sugar into inverted conical, or cone-shaped, clay molds called 'sugarloaves' resembling the natural structure the sugar could then be stored and transported with ease.

the famous peak, which reaches out into the atlantic ocean and stands just shy of 400 meters tall has become an unmistakable icon of the city of rio.

the nearby area of urca is among the most esthetically pleasing neighborhoods due to it's location and architecture - it is also a beautiful sight from morro do pasmado because the surrounding sugar loaf mountain and bondinho can be seen.