Praça Mauá - Mauá square

The Praça Mauá, in Rio de Janeiro

The Praça Mauá is a square of the port of Rio entirely remodelled for the Olympic Games, heart of the renovated district of Porto Maravilha. The Rio de Janeiro audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this modern and cultural space, symbol of the renaissance of the port zone.

The renaissance of the port zone

You arrive on the Praça Mauá, entirely remodelled on the occasion of the Olympic Games of Rio in 2016. At the birth of the town, it is through this zone of the port that everything began, but the district, long degraded and neglected, had ended up falling into oblivion. At the approach of the great sporting events hosted by Rio, the municipality launched an ambitious project of urban renovation named Porto Maravilha, which radically transformed all this port sector. The Praça Mauá has become its heart and its showcase: the old square, formerly disfigured by a motorway viaduct that was demolished, has been redeveloped into a vast public space open onto Guanabara Bay, planted, pleasant and lively. All around, old buildings have been restored and spectacular modern buildings have appeared, notably two great museums that make the pride of the town. The square is today a place of promenade, leisure and culture, where inhabitants and visitors rub shoulders. A symbol of urban renaissance and heart of the new Porto, the Praça Mauá is a fine stop of the discovery of Rio de Janeiro.

What to see

Here you enjoy the square entirely remodelled for the Olympic Games of 2016, heart of the Porto Maravilha renovation project that transformed this formerly degraded port zone: a vast public space open onto Guanabara Bay, planted and lively, around which restored old buildings rub shoulders with spectacular modern buildings, including two great museums. The Praça Mauá is a symbol of the renaissance of Rio. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Praça Mauá lies in the renovated port zone of Porto Maravilha, to the north of the centre of Rio de Janeiro, reachable on foot, by tramway and public transport. It is a freely accessible public space, open onto the bay; the museums that line it have their own hours. The square is lively during the day as in the evening.

Why was the Praça Mauá of Rio remodelled?

On the occasion of the Olympic Games of 2016, within the framework of the ambitious urban renovation project Porto Maravilha, which transformed this formerly degraded port zone: a motorway viaduct was demolished, and the square redeveloped into a vast public space open onto Guanabara Bay, surrounded by restored buildings and spectacular modern museums.

Where is the Praça Mauá in Rio de Janeiro?

In the port zone of Porto Maravilha, to the north of the centre of Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil.