SOUTHEAST BRAZIL - Brazil - page 74

settings of any racecourse in
the world. Races are held four
days a week, all year round,
so it is easy to catch the
action. The club will allow
even non-members and
visitors into the members'
stand to enjoy the race.
The track first opened in
1926, with the main stand
designed in a Louis XV style.
In total, there are five stands,
a paddock, a turf track, two
sand tracks, and an equestrian
village. The biggest race of
the year - and one of South
America's most important - is
the Grande Prêmio Brasil do
Turfe, that was first run in
1933. It traditionally takes
place in August each year.

View of Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas and Jóquei Clube Brasileiro from Corcovado

Lagoa Rodrigo
de Freitas p
Lagoa. Map 2 A3 .

ing divisions as the Lagoa is
Brazil's main rowing center.
Several international regattas
have been held here.
Visitors can go boating, as
pedallos and other craft are
available for rent. It is also
possible to hire bicycles.
The Fundação Eva Klabin is
one of Rio's prolific cultural
centers and museums. Its exhi-
bits are part of the private col-
lection of Eva Klabin, whose
family made a fortune in
paper in the mid-20th century.
The scenic Parque da
Catacumba around Lagoa is
interspersed with sculptures
by artists Roberto Moriconi,
Bruno Giorgi, and Caribé.
Monkeys roam the park,
which offers views over the
Lagoa and toward Ipanema.
E

7
www .lagoarodrigodefreitas.com.br

@

Jardim Botânico s
Rua Jardim Botânico 920 & 1008,
Gávea. Map 1 A1 . Tel [phone]
1808.

The picturesque Lagoa
Rodrigo de Freitas, or Lagoa
(lagoon) as it is often called,
sits at the foot of Corcovado
peak and separates the Serra
da Carioca from Ipanema and
Leblon. A full circuit of the
lagoon is about 5 miles
(8 km), and is popular with
joggers, cyclists, and parents
with children in prams. There
are plenty of halts en route,
with kiosks selling everything
from coconut water to full
meals. Some kiosks even offer
live music in the evenings.
The Lagoa is also bordered
by more conventional restau-
rants and bars, especially
along the Ipanema stretch.
One of Rio's most traditional
places, Bar Lagoa (see p396)
opened here in 1934. Along
the northern shore, highlights
include Claude Troisgros'
Olympe (see p396) , which,
despite a change in name
since it opened in 1983, is still
one of Rio's best restaurants.
Several sports clubs are
also located here. Among the
most famous are the Jockey
Club Brasileiro, the Sociedade
Hípica Brasileira , the city's
main equestrian center, and
the headquarters of the Clube
Regatas do Flamengo.
Flamengo, along with Vasco
da Gama, Fluminense, and
Botafogo, is one of Brazil's
top soccer teams and has
won the National and South
American titles on many
occasions. All clubs have row-

c # 8am-5pm daily.

¢ Jan 1 & Dec 25. & 8 7

restricted. www .jbrj.gov.br

One of the most fascinating
gardens in the world, Rio's
Jardim Botânico was founded
in 1808 by the Prince Regent,
Dom João VI. Originally meant
to acclimatize plants and
spices coming in from the
Orient and the East Indies, it
later became the Royal
Garden, and opened to the
public in 1822. Among its
many illustrious visitors were
Charles Darwin in 1832, and
Albert Einstein in 1925.
Today, Jardim Botânico
includes 205 acres (83 ha)
of natural rainforest, and is

Fundação Eva Klabin
Av Epitácio 2480. Tel [phone]
3471. 9am-6pm Mon-Fri,

visits by appointment only.
Y

#

Parque da Catacumba
Av Epitácio Pessoa 3000. Tel (021)
2521 5540. # 8am-5pm daily.

E Sociedade Hípica Brasileira

Av Borges de Madeiros 2448.
Tel [phone]. # only

for events. & 7

Jóquei Clube
Brasileiro a
Rua Jardim Botânico 1003, Gávea.
Map 1 A2 . Tel [phone].
q 6:30pm

onward Mon, 3:30pm onward Fri,
1:30pm onward Sat & Sun.

Botafogo. @ #

& 7

www .jcb.com.br

With a great view of the
Lagoa and the Corcovado
mountain, the Jockey Club has
one of the most spectacular

A track lined with palm trees in
Jardim Botânico

For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp366-9 and pp394-6