PRAÇA MAUÁ
Busy Mauá square with a bucolic setting and a long and interesting history of Rio's urban development
The result of a huge redevelopment project in the center of Rio, now almost complete, the makeover of Praça Mauà is quite symbolic of the "urban marketing" policies of emerging country metropolises. Praça Mauá has a long history, which is interesting for understanding Rio's urban evolution. The statue of Baron Mauá (a Brazilian industrial pioneer), created by sculptor Rodolpho Bernardelli and inaugurated in 1910 in the center of the square, is hard to believe. The transformations over the past century have been spectacular. Named Plage de Notre-Dame, then Largo da Prainha when the city was founded, the site was initially ideal for bathing, just a stone's throw from the Monasterio São Bento on the hill. A bucolic setting that was soon urbanized, particularly in 1914, when it became the port of disembarkation for ships arriving from the Old Continent and other Latin American countries. At night, Praça Mauá was lined with bars, concert halls and brothels for passing sailors throughout the 20th century, and was not very busy at night. Now part of the "Porto Maravilha" rehabilitation project for the port area in the heart of the city, it is a popular spot for tourists and Cariocas alike. The giant letters "Cidade Olímpica" (Olympic City) stood for a long time on this recent esplanade, before finally being removed. Come and stroll along the praça between two visits to the MAR and the Museu do Amanhã, or simply to spend some quality time with the family.
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