Mestre Valentim fountain
18th century.
Estela Neto — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Antonio Donioli — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Rafael.carvalhosa — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Estela Neto — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Estela Neto — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Núcleo de digitalização / IMS — Public domain
Praça XV, «15 November Square», is one of Rio's oldest squares, here since the 16th century on the shore of Guanabara Bay and for centuries the city's sea gate and seat of power. It is flanked by the Paço Imperial, home of King John VI from 1808, and the Tiradentes Palace, seat of the state legislature, and is named after the day the republic was declared in 1889. The square holds the 18th-century stone fountain of Mestre Valentim, which once supplied water to ships at anchor, and near its edge the Arco do Teles arch leads into a narrow colonial lane full of small restaurants. Ferries leave from the Praça XV terminal for Niterói and Paquetá Island. The square spent decades beneath the elevated Perimetral road, then reopened on 29 May 2016 after the viaduct was demolished and the square renewed under the Porto Maravilha project, so it faces the bay again and the light rail now runs through it. It makes the perfect start to a walk around historic central Rio.
18th century.
A colonial lane.
To Niterói and Paquetá.
Rua Primeiro de Março, central Rio de Janeiro
Paço ImperialThe Imperial Palace is one of Brazil's most important historic buildings and was1 minute walk4.6
Palácio TiradentesThe Palácio Tiradentes opened on 6 May 1926 on the site of the Casa de Câmara e 1 minute walk4.7
Espaço Cultural da MarinhaThe Brazilian Navy's cultural centre stands on the old customs docks in central 4 minutes walk4.9
Confeitaria ColomboConfeitaria Colombo is a historic café and pastry shop in central Rio, founded b6 minutes walk4.3
Gustavo Capanema PalaceThe Gustavo Capanema Palace, known to architects as the Ministry of Education an8 minutes walk4.4The Paço Imperial, the Tiradentes Palace, the Mestre Valentim fountain, the Arco do Teles and the ferry terminal for Niterói.