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Offered languages
- German
- English
Step beyond the postcard views of Rio de Janeiro and uncover the dual reality of the 19th-century Brazilian Empire. On this immersive walking tour, you will trace the footsteps of exiled European royalty and the millions of enslaved Africans whose forced labor built their palaces. From the intellectual cafes where abolition was debated over cups of blood-stained coffee, to the hidden docks and sacred rocks where Afro-Brazilians forged resilience and birthed Samba, this journey reveals how imperial glory and human suffering were inextricably bound.
- A 4.6 km self-guided tour with 8 stops over 141 minutes
- Ideal for travelers interested in power, protest, civic spaces, history, and memory
- Immersively told in a podcast style by experts and locals
- Matching audio content, an interactive guide, and precise navigation through the app
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
From Rio de Janeiro main station, take local public transport toward Praça XV de Novembro and walk the final few minutes. Check the current local connection on the day of travel.
The tour ends at Instituto dos Pretos Novos. Walk to the nearest public transport stop for the return journey to Rio de Janeiro main station.
Itinerary
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1Praca Quinze de Novembro
The historical epicenter of Imperial Rio, where the Portuguese Royal Family landed in 1808, shifting the global balance of power.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Paco Imperial
The former royal and imperial palace where Princess Isabel signed the Golden Law in 1888, officially abolishing slavery in Brazil.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
The 19th-century intellectual and commercial hub where coffee barons flaunted wealth and abolitionists debated the end of slavery.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
Built by and for Black people, this church was a vital center of community, resistance, and abolitionist organizing.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Praca Tiradentes
A square featuring the first public monument of the Empire, representing the consolidation of the independent Brazilian state.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6Pedra do Sal
A historic rock in Pequena Africa where enslaved workers unloaded goods, celebrated as the birthplace of Samba.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7Cais do Valongo
A UNESCO World Heritage site, this was the largest arrival port for enslaved Africans in the Americas.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
8Instituto de Pesquisa e Memoria Pretos Novos - IPN
A grassroots memorial and burial ground for newly arrived enslaved Africans who did not survive the journey.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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