How about visiting a place where “boils” culture since Rio de Janeiro Belle Époque? What if this place has a panoramic view from the Marvelous City? Better yet, don’t you think? This is the Ruins Park. A space that promotes cultural activities with a constant and varied programming and offers a sensational view of the city center and the Bay of Guanabara.
Yet little visited, even by locals, the ruins of the Park is located in the remains of a house built in the 20s that was frequented by several distinguished people such as Villa Lobos. The site was restored in 1996 for the inauguration of the park. The architectural design kept the bricks walls of the neocolonial mansion and added a contemporary air with metal and various glass structures. Besides having sustained the walls, the project made it possible to walk through the ruins until a gazebo with an incredible view of Rio de Janeiro.
A little more about Ruins Park:
The Ruins Park is just a few pieces of what’s left of Palacete Murtinho Nobre erected around 1900. Residence of the great patron of Rio de Janeiro Belle Époque, Laurinda Santos Lobo, also known as “Marshal of Elegance”, on 20’s the palace was the meeting point of modernism in Rio de Janeiro. It was one of the trendiest places in the city’s cultural life until the early 40’. The place even received great famous names of the time like Tarsila do Amaral, Villa Lobos and dancer Isadora Duncan.
As Laurinda Santos Lobo had no children after his death in 1946, the mansion was abandoned, being invaded, plundered and occupied by homeless people and drug dealers. In 1993, the State Government of Rio de Janeiro, turned the place into historical heritage. After all site restoration in 1996 the current Ruins Park was inaugurated.
General information:
- Free entrance.
- Tuesday to Sunday from 8am to 20hs.
How to get there:
Situated in Santa Teresa, in a historic neighborhood, the Ruins Park is in Murtinho Nobre Street, 169, next to the Chácara do Céu Museum. The street is near the cable car stop, the Curvelo Station.
Bus
Getting to the Ruins Park by bus is quite complicated. Especially because the neighborhood has few lines that go up there. The main line that rises Santa Teresa is 006 – Castelo x Santa Teresa. The bus passes through the main streets of the city center.
Cable Car
After being stopped for 4 years, the cable car of Santa Teresa has been reactivated since the middle of last year (2015). Although still not be working throughout the original path, the cable car is the most interesting way is to get to the Ruins Park.
Currently the cable car is only going to Largo dos Guimarães, but he goes previously in Curvelo Station, the descent point to visit the Ruins Park. The starting point is in the center of Rio de Janeiro, behind the Petrobras building in Lelio Gama street. 3 minutes walk from the Carioca subway station (Exit B: Chile Republic).
Taxi / Uber
For those who want to go by taxi get ready for the fight. It seems that there is an imagination among taxi drivers in Rio de Janeiro that a rise in Santa Teresa will end up with their car forever. As it is difficult to find a taxi driver who accepts take you there. So the solution is: ask for an Uber! After all, their service has been much better than the service provided by Rio taxi drivers.
Walking
Another very interesting way is to go to the Ruins Park walking from Selarón Stairs in Lapa. So you can go enjoying all the charm hidden in the Santa Teresa neighborhood. The distance is around 1km and can be covered between 15 to 20 minutes of a beautiful walk.
Car
For those who will drive the big problem is to find parking space. A great tip is to stop the car at the Chacara do Ceu Museum, where parking is free and there is a pass inside to the Ruins Park. But attention! The museum and parking close 17:00 pm, well before the park, which is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8am to 20hs. Be careful not to get the car stuck there!
Tour Why Not Brasil
Those who seek comfort and safety, the best tip is to make one of our tours that go through the Ruins Park. Thus, besides you visit this lovely place, you will also explore other sights of Rio de Janeiro and still know a little more about the history of the Marvelous City. Take a look at our tour around Rio de Janeiro Best Viewpoint and our Rio Experience.
What to see and do in Ruins Park:
Currently the structure and programming of the park is pretty cool. The site has an exhibition room, an auditorium for 100 people, a stage of 88 square meters, a coffee shop that serves a delicious breakfast, and an outdoor area where also occurs shows, presentations and a special program for children on weekends. The entire park schedule can be followed in Facebook page, just stay on there to know what’s going on. And best of all, admission is free.
Even with all that space for cultural activities, the main attraction of Ruins Park is the viewpoint on top of the old house. With a privileged view of Rio de Janeiro, you can see and admire the beauty of Guanabara Bay, Sugar Loaf, some beaches of the southern city and yet the Lapa Arches. The viewpoint of the Ruins Park really has an incredible visual. It’s amazing!
Main Ruins Park Tips
- Go one morning to enjoy a delicious breakfast in this amazing environment.
- Follow the programming of the Ruins Park and go enjoy some presentation there.
- Take the opportunity to visit the Chácara do Céu Museum, which is next to the Park of the Ruins. The museum has several works of famous painters.
- For those going on car, park in the Chácara do Ceu museum. But beware! The museum and parking close 17:00 pm, well before the park, which is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8am to 20hs. Be careful not to get the car stuck there!
Then that’s it. Super recommend the Ruins Park for those who are looking for a different place to walk around, relax and enjoy art and nature beauties. If you enjoyed the post and thinks it can help a friend, please be sure to share it. To learn more tourist tips from Rio de Janeiro, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
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