Pilares

Nestled in Rio de Janeiro’s North Zone is Pilares. Pilares isn’t just a neighborhood. It’s a vibrant tapestry woven with rich history, samba rhythms, and community spirit. Pilares began as part of the parish of São Tiago de Inhaúma. Two large farms, Quinta de Sant’ana and Fazenda do Capão, dominated the landscape. These farms eventually came under the ownership of Bishop José Joaquim Justiniano Castelo Branco. He later donated them to relatives. By 1873, Francisca Carolina de Mendonça Zieze and her son-in-law, Gaspar Augusto Nascente Zieze, owned the land. They donated the plot where the Irmandade de São Benedito dos Pilares built their chapel. This chapel, later remodeled by Father José Corrêa, became the present-day Parish of São Benedito. The name “Pilares” has two origin stories. One suggests it comes from the “Venda dos Pilares” (Sale of Pillars), referring to prominent stone adornments on a building. The other, more colorful tale, dates back to the royal family’s time in Brazil. Small pillars surrounded a water fountain in the neighborhood square. These pillars served as hitching posts for horses. Largo dos Pilares was a stop on the royal road to Santa Cruz, now Avenida Dom Hélder Câmara. Largo dos Pilares was a crucial intersection. Three vital roads converged here. These roads facilitated the transport of goods from Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and the municipality’s interior. These were the Estrada Real de Santa Cruz, Estrada da Praia de Inhaúma, and Estrada Nova da Pavuna. These roads led to important trade routes. Pilares is also home to the Caprichosos de Pilares samba school, situated under the Cristóvão Colombo overpass. Another samba school, Difícil É o Nome, is located at the corner of Avenida Dom Hélder Câmara and Rua Francisca Vidal. Pilares borders Inhaúma, Abolição, Piedade, Engenho de Dentro, Engenho da Rainha, and Tomás Coelho. Part of the Morro do Urubu community also lies within Pilares. The Faria and Faleiro rivers flow through Pilares. Early streets developed between them, such as Francisca Zieze, Glaziou, Gaspar, Francisca Vidal, Jacinto Rebelo, and Casimiro de Abreu. In 1898, with the establishment of the Estrada de Ferro Melhoramentos do Brasil railway, the Cintra Vidal station opened. It honored Professor Cintra Vidal, who owned the first school in the region. This station, now called Cintra Vidal-Pilares, is part of the SuperVia network. Another station, Terra Nova, opened in 1905 but closed in the 1970s. By the 1950s, Pilares had a thriving commercial center. This attracted people from other areas. The Centro Comercial e Industrial de Pilares, or CCIP, began as a business association before becoming a social club. In 1965, the Cristóvão Colombo overpass was built. This linked Pilares to Inhaúma. The Linha Amarela expressway, opened in 1997, provided direct access to Avenida Brasil and Barra da Tijuca. Today, commerce centers around Largo de Pilares and Avenida João Ribeiro. Pilares remains a vibrant neighborhood with a mix of housing complexes, the CCIP, and the Morro dos Urubus community.