Escadaria Selarón – The Lapa Steps

Here it is at last, the famous colored staircase you’ve all been waiting for! You’ve probably seen pictures online, but trust me, it’s even more stunning in person! It’s in fact a gigantic mosaic spanning 215 steps that connect the Lapa and Santa Teresa districts. It’s the work of Chilean artist Jorge Selarón, who wished to pay tribute to the people of Brazil with a dazzling flight of steps in the country’s national colors. The original plan was simply to restore the staircase, but the artist decided to clad it in painted tiles. It started out as a side-project to his main passion, painting, but it soon became an obsession. He literally dedicated his life to it. At first, he used leftover tiles from construction sites around Rio. But as the staircase became more famous, visitors from all over the world started bringing tiles from their own countries. This added a whole new dimension to the artwork, making it a symbol of unity between people. You could easily spend hours here checking out the individual tiles and admiring the amazing collages. Out of the 2,000 or so tiles, around 300 were hand-painted by Selarón to depict a pregnant African woman. The artist never explained why he did it, simply stating that it had something to do with his past. The multicolored work radiates joy and dynamism. It has since appeared in numerous media outlets, from advertisements and music videos to renowned magazines. Today, the Selarón staircase is a major local landmark and the pride of the people of Rio de Janeiro. Make your way up the steps, and you’ll find yourself in the bohemian district of Santa Teresa. If you’ve still got a bit of time on your hands, head for the Santa Teresa Ruins Park. It’s a rather unusual public park built in the ruins of an old mansion. Here, you’ll find open-air concerts, cafés and art galleries, and enjoy stunning panoramic views over Guanabara Bay.