Religious Sights in Rio de Janeiro
A city that sees the Catholic faith mix with African religions to fascinating effect, Rio de Janeiro religious sights are both numerous and genuinely impressive.
In fact, Rio de Janeiro is home to one of the most iconic religious sights in the world - the statue of Christ the Redeemer. Standing with arms outstretched to embrace the city and its inhabitants, the Christ Statue is officially one of the Seven New Wonders of the World, and it's not hard to see why.
Aside from the 'big guy', Rio offers a wealth of architecturally and historically interesting churches, among the most impressive of which are to be found in Gloria, Centro and even out in the North Zone, with the hilltop Igreja da Penha visible from miles around.
Even New Year's Eve in Rio reflects the city's religious influence - the traditional white clothes are worn in honour of the Candomble religion (which mixed Catholicism with African spiritualism), whose white-clad followers leave offerings at Copacabana for Yemanja, the goddess of the sea.
In stark contrast to the colonial style of many Rio de Janeiro churches, the city's modernist cathedral, in Centro, divides public opinion. Even those unimpressed by the stark grey exterior may be impressed by the atmospheric interior, so it's well worth taking a peek inside.
In fact, Rio de Janeiro is home to one of the most iconic religious sights in the world - the statue of Christ the Redeemer. Standing with arms outstretched to embrace the city and its inhabitants, the Christ Statue is officially one of the Seven New Wonders of the World, and it's not hard to see why.
Aside from the 'big guy', Rio offers a wealth of architecturally and historically interesting churches, among the most impressive of which are to be found in Gloria, Centro and even out in the North Zone, with the hilltop Igreja da Penha visible from miles around.
Even New Year's Eve in Rio reflects the city's religious influence - the traditional white clothes are worn in honour of the Candomble religion (which mixed Catholicism with African spiritualism), whose white-clad followers leave offerings at Copacabana for Yemanja, the goddess of the sea.
In stark contrast to the colonial style of many Rio de Janeiro churches, the city's modernist cathedral, in Centro, divides public opinion. Even those unimpressed by the stark grey exterior may be impressed by the atmospheric interior, so it's well worth taking a peek inside.
Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Glória do Outeiro
Ladeira Nossa Senhora da Glória
Glória
Beautiful baroque church...
Igreja e Mosteiro de Sao Bento
Rua Dom Gerardo, 68
Centro
Religious traditions from centuries past...
Copacabana Beach
Avenida Atlantica and Xavier da Silveira
The World's Most Famous Stretch of Sand?...
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