Pedra do Sal
Ancient stone steps in the port area, the 'Little Africa' Black cultural center and birthplace of samba, with open-air samba on Monday and Friday nights.
Pedra do Sal is a giant rock in the Saúde neighborhood of the port area. The stone steps carved into its surface were once the routes used to haul salt, and the area became known as Little Africa. From the late 19th to the early 20th century, migrants from Bahia and Black communities gathered here, and early samba was born. Today it is a protected African heritage site. Every Monday and Friday evening, a free open-air roda de samba (samba circle) forms below the steps, surrounded by beer stalls, and the atmosphere is lively. Keep an eye on your belongings when it's crowded, and it is advisable to take a taxi home afterward. It is about a 10-minute walk from the Museum of Tomorrow.
Opening hours
All day; samba gatherings approx. Mon and Fri from 19:00
Nearby sights
- Museu do Amanhã / Porto Maravilha
- Monastery of São Bento
- Real Gabinete Português de Leitura
- AquaRio
- Confeitaria Colombo
- Praça XV & Paço Imperial
- Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro
- Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro