The royal palm avenue
134 palms from one tree.
tsc_traveler [2] — CC BY 2.0 · Matthias Bethke — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Matthias Bethke — CC BY-SA 4.0
Prince Regent John, later King John VI, founded Rio's Botanical Garden in 1808 to acclimatise spices brought from the East such as nutmeg, pepper and cinnamon, and it opened to the public in 1822. It lies at the foot of Corcovado, below the statue's right arm; some 54 hectares are cultivated with about 6,500 plant species, and the rest is Atlantic Forest climbing the slopes. Its best-known sight is the Avenue of Royal Palms: 134 palms in a line of about 750 metres from the entrance, all descended from a single tree, the Palma Mater, long since struck by lightning. There are collections of bromeliads, orchids, carnivorous plants and cacti, a lake of giant water lilies, and a cast-iron fountain made in England. About 140 bird species live here, toucans among them, along with capuchin monkeys and marmosets used enough to people to be easy to spot. It is a quiet, shady escape after the beaches, loveliest in the morning.
134 palms from one tree.
On the lake.
Toucans and capuchins.
Rua Jardim Botânico, below Corcovado
An hour and a half to three hours to walk the palm avenue, lakes and collections; mornings are best for birds and shade.