| Rio de Janeiro - Pedra da Gávea |
In the Parque Nacional da Tijuca (National Park of Tijuca), there is a natural
monument that can't be missed. Obviously, an immense block of stone that raises 842 meters above sea level, really calls attention. However,
other factors make the Pedra da Gávea one of the most visited places of Rio de Janeiro.
Besides offering a splendid view from its belvedere, the Pedra da Gávea is
surrounded by legends. There are absurd stories like the one that says that the stone was used as a door for another dimension, a base for
flying sauvers and a tomb for Phoenician Kings. Far from the stone, it has the shape of a head, with ears, eyes, nose and mouth, besides some
inscriptions written in a place that is difficult to reach that seen to have been made by Phoenicians.
Important historical objects coming from a archeological site and from the ruins
of an old slave quarters can also be found there.
Even though it has very little vegetation, the Pedra da Gávea has parts of the
Atlantic Forest with an exuberant nature and various species of plants. The place is very popular by people who like to go hiking and mountain
climbing. The trail that goes to the top is tiring, require a little bit of phyxical preparation and lasts about three hours.
The effort of going up is compensated when you reach the top of the hill. From the
top, it is possible to observe all the Parque Nacional da Floresta da Tijuca, the Corcovado, the Pedra Bonita (Pretty Stone), Niterói and even
several beaches of Rio de Janeiro.
Address: Estrada das Canoas, in São Conrado |
Presentation
