Arnaldo Battaglini

I guess what was still missing in this blog, was some personalized art, so let me introduce to you a good friend and very good artist. He happens to be paulista, poor thing, but is getting to be known in Rio as well.

The foto shows him and a work commissioned by the hotel Novotel on Rua Marechal Camara 300, Centro. Unfortunately, due to the location of the piece, it is a bit difficult to show a good photo, so you will have to go visit it yourselves. The hotel is close to Santos Dumont.

Soon I will be adding pictures of other work of his. In addition to ^to order^ wall sculptures, he also makes beautiful jewelry, but for that you would have to go to São Paulo

A Gentil Carioca

Right in the heart of downtown Rio you will find a charming gallery featuring young Brazilian artists. Be exposed to a vibrant art scene in this vibrant city, with a vibrant economy. It is run by artists Laura Lima, Márcio Botner e Ernesto Neto.

Marcio also takes his artists to art fairs all over the world, but while in Rio you will be on their home turf.

Rua Gonçalves Ledo, 17
second floor
tel: 2222-1651

open Mon-Fri 12pm to 7pm and Sat 12pm to 5pm

Bistro Ouvidor

We found, by chance, a delicious restaurant right in the center of town.

It's prize winning dish is Lasagna Mediterranee. Well worth a try.

It is open Monday thru Friday, 8am to 6pm

52 Rua do Ouvidor
Centro

Teatro João Caetano

The oldest theatre of Rio was inaugurated on the 12th of October, 1813, by D. João VI, prince-regent, son of the queen of Portugal, D. Maria I.
The front is covered in beautiful white marble.

Some very well known actors and actresses have played on the stage, including Eleonora Duse e Sarah Bernhard.
Even today, the productions are of the highest quality. Well worth a visit.

Praça Tiradentes ,s/nº
Centro
2332-9257

Mosteiro de São Bento

The monastery is a beautiful place of peace and quiet. Building of the church started in 1633 on land given in 1590 to Benedictine monks at the request of local inhabitants. In the historic part of town, it is one of the main monuments of the colonial period.
Its main attraction for us regular people is the Sunday mass with Gregorian Chants. The mass is very well attended by locals and tourists, so it is well worth getting there at least half an hour early.


The image (taken from Wikipedia) is part of a painting by Jules de Sinety.

Igreja da Candelária

An example of baroque colonial architecture the church was built from 1775 to about 1877. As all important structures of the time it faces the bay of Guanabara, as that was the main entry into the city. Being in one of the busiest areas of the city these days it faces constantly a lot of traffic flowing from all parts of the city into the center.
It is still popular however for high society and celebrity weddings

Open 8a-4p M-F, 8a-noon Sa-Su

Praça Pio X
Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20040 Brazil

21 2233 2324

Castelo da Fundação Oswaldo Cruz

The central building of the Fundação Osvaldo Cruz, the Pavilhão Mourisco, is the only neo-moorish building still existing in Rio. The construction started in 1904 on orders of Oswaldo Cruz, a very well known physician, bacteriologist and epidemiologist.
Oswaldo Cruz implemented obligatory vaccins for children against smallpox and many other important measures.
The park is lovely and in it there is a wonderful museum (Museu da Vida).
Good place to visit with children

Who could imagine such a lovely place right on Av. Brasil 4365?

Cafe Colombo

A Victorian tearoom and restaurant that has been open since 1894. It's the perfect place to kick back with some coffee and pastries after touring Centro or taking your lady friend/s for a lovely lunch.

For a few years now Café Colombo has an offspring in Copacabana, right by the ocean in the military fort. It provides a lovely view over Copacabana Beach and the Sugarloaf.

Rua Gonçalves Dias, 32
Centro

Toca do Baiacu

A very democratic place......all drunks welcome

The beer is good and you can sit on one of the busiest commercial streets of Old Rio.

They used to have a custom of ringing a bell each time a pretty girl walked by. This custom was abandoned several years ago when neighboring establishments complained that women were no longer walking past, either they did not want the attention or else were afraid the bell would not ring.

Ask for Michael when you go, you'll get special service, especially if you buy him a beer.

Rua do Ouvidor almost at the corner with 1 de março

Bar Luiz

The best chopp in Rio

The longest coil - 55m (did you know that the longer the coil the creamier the foam?)

One of the oldest bars in the center of town, built in 1887 by the son of swiss immigrants

Open from noon until the last guest departs

The menu consists of German food like Kassler Ripchen, sausages, potato salad etc.

Rua da Carioca 39

Or else go to the modern offspring where the beer is also delicious and the foam creamy

Right in front of the Copacabana Palace

You can see the world go by and enjoy the breeze from the ocean

Caçula

A traditional arts and crafts store in the center of Rio. anything you can imagine for crafts you will find here.
Worth a visit just to look

• Glass beads, yarn for crochet or knitting, paints, mosaics, woods etc
• Supplies of traditional carnaval products
• Craft lessons mornings and afternoons
  
  Rua Buenos Aires 255 - Centro
• 21 3861-9028

Arco do Teles

The Arco do Teles is an arch which used to be part of three luxury homes. The whole complex was built in 1755 and most of it was destroyed by fire in 1790
Behind the arch is a picturesque alley (Travessa do Comercio) with buildings dating from the 19th century.

In the evenings (from 5pm) onwards it becomes a great big outdoor happy hour where office workers gather for a few chopp (local beer) and a chat before heading home.