Rio de Janeiro is Brazil's most iconic state, home to the legendary city of Rio with its stunning beaches, dramatic mountains, and vibrant culture. The state blends natural wonders like Tijuca National Forest and Guanabara Bay with UNESCO-recognized landscapes and world-famous landmarks like Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain.
Rio de Janeiro was founded by Portuguese colonizers in 1565, becoming Brazil's most important colonial port and later serving as the capital of the Portuguese Empire in exile (1808-1821) when the royal family fled Napoleon's invasion. The city served as Brazil's capital from 1763 until 1960 when Brasília was built, leaving an extraordinary legacy of imperial architecture, museums, and cultural institutions. The state's history spans indigenous Tupi peoples, Portuguese colonization, African slavery, the Brazilian Empire, the First Republic, and a 20th century transformation into a global cultural capital.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Rio de Janeiro.
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1
Tupi Indigenous Peoples
The Guanabara Bay area was home to Tupi and Goitacaz indigenous peoples for thousands of years before European contact.
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2
Portuguese Exploration
Portuguese explorers under Gaspar de Lemos arrived on January 1, mistaking Guanabara Bay for a river mouth — naming it 'Rio de Janeiro' (January River).
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3
French Colonization Attempt
French Huguenots under Nicolas Durand de Villegagnon established France Antarctique — the first European settlement in the region, allied with Tupi Tamoio people.
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4
Portuguese Foundation
Portuguese governor Estácio de Sá founded the city of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro on March 1, 1565, after defeating the Franco-Tupi alliance at the Battle of Uruçumirim.
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5
Colonial Growth and Gold Trade
Rio de Janeiro grew as the primary export port for Brazilian gold and diamonds from Minas Gerais. The city's importance increased dramatically in the 18th century.
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6
Capital of Colonial Brazil
Rio de Janeiro replaced Salvador as capital of the Estado do Brasil as wealth and strategic importance shifted south with the mining boom.
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7
Portuguese Royal Court Arrives
Fleeing Napoleon's invasion, Portuguese King João VI and the entire royal court (15,000 people) relocated to Rio de Janeiro — the only European capital ever established outside Europe. Rio immediately became capital of the Portuguese Empire.
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8
Brazilian Independence
Prince Dom Pedro I declared Brazilian independence from Portugal on September 7, 1822, establishing the Empire of Brazil with Rio as its capital.
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9
The Second Empire
Emperor Dom Pedro II presided over a long period of cultural flowering, scientific advancement, and national identity formation. He built the summer palace in Petrópolis and Rio became a center of arts and learning.
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10
Abolition of Slavery
Princess Regent Isabel signed the Lei Áurea (Golden Law) abolishing slavery on May 13, 1888 — Brazil was the last Western nation to abolish slavery.
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11
Republic Declared
Military coup on November 15, 1889 ended the Empire. Brazil became a republic; Rio remained the federal capital.
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12
Urban Transformation
Mayor Pereira Passos rebuilt central Rio in the early 1900s, demolishing colonial streets for Haussmann-style boulevards. The famous Cinelândia area and Avenida Rio Branco were created.
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13
Loss of Capital Status
Brasília inaugurated as Brazil's new capital on April 21, 1960. Rio de Janeiro lost its capital status but gained the status of Estado da Guanabara (a separate city-state) until 1975.
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14
State of Rio de Janeiro
The former state of Rio de Janeiro and Estado da Guanabara merged to create the current State of Rio de Janeiro with the city as its capital.
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15
Olympic Games
Rio de Janeiro hosted the 2016 Summer Olympic Games — the first Olympics in South America — with events across the city including the revitalized Porto Maravilha waterfront district.
Historical eras
The chapters of Rio de Janeiro's past.
Indigenous Period
Tupi and Goitacaz peoples inhabited Guanabara Bay for thousands of years with sophisticated societies and trade networks
Colonial Period
Portuguese city grew as Brazil's primary gold and sugar export hub; African slavery fundamental to the economy; colonial churches and fortifications built
Imperial Period
Rio as capital of the Portuguese Empire and then Brazilian Empire — a golden age of culture, architecture, and national identity formation under Dom Pedro II
Republican Period
Urban modernization, abolition's aftermath, immigration waves (Italian, German, Japanese, Lebanese), and emergence of samba and carnival as national cultural expressions
Modern Period
Loss of capital status to Brasília, economic challenges, favela growth, and the transformation into a global cultural and tourism capital hosting the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics
Historical sites
Places where Rio de Janeiro's past comes alive.
Paço Imperial
The former royal palace where Portuguese kings and Brazilian emperors ruled from 1763. Now an art and cultural center with regular exhibitions. The Praça XV square outside is historically significant for royal proclamations.
Where: Praça XV de Novembro, Centro, Rio de Janeiro
Admission: Free
Imperial Museum of Petrópolis
Dom Pedro II's magnificent summer palace houses Brazil's imperial crown jewels, royal regalia, and 65 beautifully preserved rooms. The rose gardens and neoclassical architecture are stunning.
Where: Rua da Imperatriz, 220, Petrópolis
Admission: $7
Real Gabinete Português de Leitura
Widely considered the most beautiful library in Brazil and one of the finest in the Americas. The neo-Manueline Gothic façade and interior filled with 350,000 Portuguese-language volumes from the 16th-20th centuries is breathtaking.
Where: Rua Luís de Camões, 30 - Centro, Rio de Janeiro
Admission: Free
Lapa Arches (Arcos da Lapa)
The 64-arch Baroque aqueduct completed in 1750 carried water from the Santa Teresa springs to the city. Now serves as a tram viaduct, it stands as Rio's most recognizable colonial structure.
Where: Lapa, Centro, Rio de Janeiro
Admission: Free
Museu Histórico Nacional
Brazil's principal history museum in a Portuguese colonial fort dating to 1693. Over 287,000 historical artifacts covering 500 years of Brazilian history from pre-colonial times to the 20th century.
Where: Praça Marechal Âncora, Centro, Rio de Janeiro
Admission: $5
Quinta da Boa Vista
The imperial family's principal Rio residence before Petrópolis. The neo-Gothic Museu Nacional (partially restored after 2018 fire) and the historic park grounds represent Brazil's imperial heritage.
Where: Av. Pedro II - São Cristóvão, Rio de Janeiro
Admission: Free (park); museum charge
Museums
Curated collections that tell Rio de Janeiro's story.
Museu Nacional de Belas Artes
Brazil's premier fine arts museum with European masters and Brazilian academic art
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10AM-5PM, Saturday-Sunday 12PM-5PM
Admission: $5 (free Sundays)
Museu do Amanhã
Calatrava-designed science museum exploring sustainable futures
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10AM-6PM
Admission: $15
Museu de Arte do Rio (MAR)
Contemporary art museum in Porto Maravilha celebrating Rio and Brazilian art
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10AM-5PM
Admission: $12
Chácara do Céu (Casa de Rui Barbosa)
Two hilltop Santa Teresa museums with Brazilian folk art and European masters
Hours: Wednesday-Monday 12PM-5PM
Admission: $8 (free Wednesdays)
Historical tours
Guided experiences that bring history to life.
Walking tours
Free walking tours in English depart daily from Praça Tiradentes at 10AM — covering Centro historic district. Also from Lapa at 6PM for nightlife history.
Day tours
Rio's Past and Present full-day tour: $55-70 covering Centro, Santa Teresa, and Imperial history. Book through Rio tours operators in Copacabana.
Private tours
Licensed private guides from $80/half-day. Brazil Expedition and Rio for Partiers offer excellent historical city tours.