MirantedoLeblon/Av.Niemeyer

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Niemeyer Avenue is one of Rio de Janeiro’s most iconic roads, not only for its breathtaking views but also for its role in the city’s infrastructure. The road was conceived in the late 19th century, as part of a project to build a railway to connect Botafogo and Angra dos Reis. The original project began in 1891, with the aim of carving a route through the hillsides. However, challenging geographic conditions and scarce financial resources delayed construction work for nearly two decades.

The plan was resumed in the early 20th century, now as a road for cars. The road was inaugurated on 20 October 1916 and was named after Commander Conrado Jacob Niemeyer, who financed its construction.

Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph of a coastal landscape. On the left side, there is a hillside covered in dense vegetation. Along the coast, a road runs down toward the sea. On the right, the sea is calm with gentle waves. On the horizon, several mountains are visible, including one that appears to be Morro do Leblon. In the lower right corner, there is text reading "RIO de JANEIRO". In the upper right, there is a logo that reads "ARQUIVO NACIONAL".

View from Niemeyer Avenue, Rio de Janeiro, in the 1920s. National Archive. Miscellaneous Photographic Collection

Shortly after its inauguration, Niemeyer Avenue underwent improvements for the visit of King Albert I of Belgium and gained two landmarks. A viaduct was built and named in the monarch’s honor, along with the “Press Grotto”, inaugurated in 1920, just days before the Belgian royals’ visit to Brazil. According to reporting in the newspapers Correio da Manhã and O Globo, the grotto was a tribute by Mayor Carlos Sampaio to the Rio de Janeiro press corps. It is a vast natural platform that projects over the ocean, forming a grotto that can be reached via balustraded steps. The sea crashes with force there but does not present any danger. The inscription “Press Grotto” is set in cement at the entrance.

Image description: This is a black and white photograph of a lookout point located on Avenida Niemeyer, in Leblon, Rio de Janeiro. On the left side, we see a carved rock with stone structures. On the right, there are stone arches forming a passageway. At the top, a cable car is stationary above the structure. In the background, there is a mountain and a clear sky.

In the 1930s, journalists gathered there to cover car races. Crowds would flock to watch the so-called ‘baratinhas’ compete on the ‘Gavea Circuit’, nicknamed the “Devil’s Trampoline” because of its frequent accidents—some of them fatal, such as the crash that killed the champion Irineu Corrêa in 1935.

In the 1970s and 1980s the avenue became associated with another icon: The Vip’s Motel (a short stay hotel for romantic liaisons) considered the most famous in Brazil. Its privileged location became legendary. According to Ambassador Marcos de Azambuja: “Vip’s was simply the best motel in the world. I can say this without fear of contradiction, on the basis of the most reliable record there is: my memories of long-gone nights, when Rio de Janeiro was the best city that ever existed. The position of the building was perfect. It faced the sea with the forest behind it, so guests were not seen by anyone and didn’t see anyone.”

Image description: This is an aerial photograph of a lookout point located on Avenida Niemeyer, in Leblon, Rio de Janeiro. From left to right, we see a stretch of road running parallel to the rocky coastline. In the central area, there is a long, low building with several windows and a light-colored façade. In the background, there is dense green tree vegetation. On the right, the rocky coastline extends toward the sea, where white waves crash against the rocks. The sky is clear and blue.

But the avenue also holds some tragic memories, such as the murder of the young woman Cláudia Lessin Rodrigues, in 1977, and the collapse of the Tim Maia cycle path in 2016, which led to the deaths of the engineer Eduardo Marinho Albuquerque, 54, and Ronaldo Severino da Silva, 60. Landslides, especially in the rainy season, have also left painful scars over the decades.

Image description: The image is a photograph of a viaduct over a river. On the left side, we see a concrete structure with arches, where two people are walking. Moving to the right, we see a concrete staircase descending to the river below. The river is in motion, with white waves in the background. In the upper right, there is a raised platform with an access ramp. The predominant color is the gray of the concrete, contrasting with the green of the trees on the left and the white of the river's waves.

The Leblon viewpoint at the beginning of the Avenida Niemeyer, is a popular tourist spot known for its panoramic views of the Ipanema and Leblon shorelines. In the 19th century, the area was known as Ponta do Leblon and was used mainly for fishing, before becoming a place for contemplation thanks to its privileged views. In 2007, it was officially named the Hans Stern Viewpoint, in honor of the German-born Brazilian jeweler.

Connecting affluent neighborhoods such as Leblon to communities like Vidigal and Rocinha, the 4.76 km stretch of Niemeyer Avenue has become a symbol of contrasts. It forms a geographic and cultural link between different social realities in Rio de Janeiro. It could be said that Niemeyer Avenue somehow depicts Rio itself: a symbol of the contrasts and encounters that make the city what it is: complex, beautiful and rich with stories.

Image description: This is a photograph of a lookout point in Leblon, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. On the left side, we see palm trees and tables with open umbrellas, occupied by people relaxing. Moving toward the right, we see a wooden platform leading to the beach. The horizon is lined with tall, modern buildings, with a building featuring red and white stripes standing out. The beach is wide and extensive, with blue waves breaking on the golden sands. The sky is partly cloudy, allowing sunlight to illuminate the scene.

Reprodução site Tourb

Image description: The image shows two logos. On the left side, there is a blue shield with a crown and decorative elements, followed by the text "Rio Prefeitura Turismo" in blue. On the right side, there is a logo with the phrase "Rio Memórias" in orange, inside a square with vertical lines.