Lapa Arches

The Arcos da Lapa were finished in 1750 to bring water from the Carioca River in Santa Teresa down to a public fountain in the city, two tiers of forty-two arches in whitewashed stone crossing the valley at Lapa - the largest surviving colonial engineering work in Rio. When the aqueduct was retired in the 1890s the deck was converted to carry a tram line up to Santa Teresa, which it still does; the bondinho crosses the arches on its way up the hill. The service was suspended for seven years after a fatal derailment in 2011 and returned rebuilt in 2015. Below the arches is the centre of Lapa nightlife, with the samba bars and street parties that fill the area from Thursday to Sunday.

What you actually see

• Forty-two arches in two tiers - a 1750 aqueduct across the Lapa valley.
• Trams on the deck - the bondinho crossing on its way to Santa Teresa.
• Colonial engineering at scale - the largest surviving work of its kind in Rio.
• The nightlife below - the samba bars that fill the arches area at weekends.

When to go

All year. An hour, or an evening if you stay for the bars.

Honest expectations

The tram queues at Carioca station, especially at weekends. Lapa at night is busy and requires normal city caution - carry little. The arches themselves are seen in a few minutes; the tram ride is the reason to allow more time.

Nearby

The Selaron steps are a few minutes away; Santa Teresa is at the top of the line.