In 1565, Jesuit priests who set the platation of sugar cane settled in the region of Tijuca. At the time, a chapel, dedicated to São Francisco Xavier, was built in the site. The farm nearest to the center of Rio was named after the saint. When the Jesuits were expelled from Brazil, in 1759. The farms were sold to hundreds of new ranchers, and the region came to be characterized by small farms.
In the 19th century, the neighborhood became famous for being the forerunner in the operation of the first transportation line in rail vehicles in Rio de Janeiro with animal traction, prior to the electric trams, connecting Largo do Rocio (the current Tiradentes Square) to Alto da Boa Vista. In the 20th century, its residents, made up, basically, of a conservative middle class, were collectively identified as “tijucanos”, something that has no equivalent in any other neighborhood in the city. The region is home to the 3rd largest urban forest in the world, Tijuca Forest, which was reforested by the initiative of D. Pedro II in 1861.
This club was founded in 1915, as a private leisure area. Initially, it was called Tijuca Lawn Tennis Club, later it became Tijuca Tennis Club, and recently it has had its name graphically changed to Tijuca Tênis Clube.
Address: 451, Conde de Bonfim St. - Tijuca
Opening Hours: Everyday from 9am to 11pm
Website: www.tijucatenis.com.br
Image Credits: www.brasil2016.com
Located in the heart of Tijuca, the square was a meeting place for film buffs. In the 1940s, it was considered the “second Cinelândia Carioca” and housed the following cinemas: Tijuquinha, Metro-Tijuca, ArtPalácio, Bruni Tijuca, Cine Eskye, Carioca, Cine Rio, Britânia, América and Cine Olinda, one of the largest in Rio, built in Art Deco style, with 3500 seats.
Image Credits: www.opasseadortijucano.com.br
The gallery is located in Praça Saens Peña. In the 1970s, movie theaters started to shut down in the region. In 1972, Cine Olinda was demolished and the gallery, which became the first shopping mall in the neighborhood, was built in its place.
Address: 45, Praça Saens Peña - Tijuca
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday from 9am to 7pm / Saturday from 9am to 3pm
Website: www.shopping45.com.br
Image Credits: Eduardo Fradkin
Located on São Francisco Xavier Street, it was Brazil’s first Military School, designed in 1853 by the Senator Luiz Alves de Lima e Silva, who would later be named Duque de Caxias. At the time, the goal of Caxias, was to create a School for the “children of those who would die or become injured on the battlefield, in defense of the independence and national honor”.
Image Credits: www.panoramio.com
Founded in 1957, the school was intended to Primary and Elementary Education since its opening. Currently, it also offers an integrated high school: Computer Technician and PROEJA in the forms of Technical Administration and Support/ Maintenance in Computer Science.
Image Credits: Google Street View
In July 1567, at the request of Mem de Sá, the priest José de Anchieta took part in the construction of this church. Anchieta’s own words can still be read on its facade: “In this Church, we teach to love God, to defend the family and to work for Brasil”.
Address: 75, São Francisco Xavier St. - Tijuca
Opening Hours: Everyday from 8am to 8pm
Website: www.paroquiasfxavier.com.br
Image Credits: Rick Ipanema
The name “Tijuca” comes from the Tupi language and means “rotten water” ty (“water”) and iuk (“rotten”). It refers, mainly, to the region of Lagoa da Tijuca, a swamp area with still water.
The neighborhood is the scene of some of Machado de Assis’ works, such as “Ressurreição” (Resurrection), “Memórias Póstumas de Brás Cubas” (Epitaph of a Small Winner) and “Dom Casmurro” (Dom Casmurro: a novel). In the latter, the couple, Bento and Capitu, spend their honemoon at a farm in Alto da Tijuca. It is noteworthy that, in 1865, the year in which the story takes place, the area was considered remote from the city center.
Perhaps Tijuca is the neighborhood from which emerged the greatest number of famous residents of Rio de Janeiro in the 20th century. Just to name a few artists of Brazilian music of the second half of the 20th century: Erasmo Carlos, Roberto Carlos, Tim Maia and Jorge Ben. Tey used to get together in the lower part of Tijuca, near the beginning of Rua Haddock Lobo, simply to chat on the streets and in bars at corners of the neighborhood, way before reaching stardom.
Did you know that Tijuca National Park came to be in 1861? The region became deforested due to the cultivation of sugarcane and coffee. So, Dom Pedro II ordered its reforestation. It was a venture that lasted 13 years, having begun in 1861. Tijuca National Park has an area of 3,972 hectares concentrated in the Maciço da Tijuca, which brings together six forests: Andaraí, Grajaú, Paineiras, Santa Inês and Tijuca, Gávea Carioca.
Composed of two studios and a loft, this dance school is intended for rehearsals, performances and dance workshops. It has a theater with 150 seats, as well as a conference room, a library/memory center and lodgings to host artists in exchange programs.
Address: 115, José Higino St. - Tijuca
Phone: (21) 3238-0601 / (21) 3238-0357
Website: www.centrocoreografico.wordpress.com
Image Credits: Caio Nunes
Opened on June 16, 2007, it is a space of musical style convergence, dedicated to the memory, creation and research of Rio's music in all its manifestations. There are six classrooms in the large annex building, where music education workshops are held.
Address: 824, Conde de Bonfim Street - Tijuca
Phone: (21) 3238-3831
Website: https://www.facebook.com/CentroDaMusicaCariocaArturDaTavola/
Image Credits: www.rio.rj.gov.br
Opened in February 2009, in Tijuca, Bar da Gema is an authentic tavern with creative menu. It serves bean tartlets, polenta with oxtail, atoleiro carioca , among other delicacies.
Address: 615, Barão de Mesquita Street, store C and D - Tijuca
Phone: (21) 3549-0857
Website: www.facebook.com/bardagema
Image Credits: Tyno Cruz
Located between Prof. Gabizo and São Francisco Xavier Streets, this big house from the early 20th century, which has provided the backdrop for the movies of the comedian Oscarito, has been the home of an Italian restaurant specialized in the cuisine of Emilia Romagna region since 1983.
Address: 126, Heitor Beltrão Ave. - Tijuca
Phone: (21) 2567-4476 / 2567-3386
Website: www.ristorantefiorino.com.br
Image Credits: www.tripadvisor.com.br
Opened in 1977 by President Ernesto Geisel, the SESC unit in Tijuca had its gardens designed by Burle Marx and offers activities in the areas of sports and leisure, culture and education.
Address: 539, Barão de Mesquita St. - Tijuca
Phone: (21) 3238-2139
Image Credits: www.sescrio.org.br/unidades/sesc-tijuca/informacoes
