Is it possible to imagine the story of a hill almost entirely deforested? Morro do Gambá rises 266 meters. It gave its name to the neighboring community in Lins de Vasconcelos.
Morro do Gambá stands at the southern end of the Serra do Mateus. Imagine it almost bare. Envision the start of reforestation on its south side.
Now picture scattered rock blocks along its slopes. High-tension lines cut across Morro do Gambá. These lines power the Boca do Mato substation.
Let’s travel back to the community’s beginnings near Morro do Gambá. The community’s occupation began around 1951. People came from Minas Gerais. They also came from Campos dos Goytacazes. Initially they came to work. They ended up staying. The first settled part was near Vilela Tavares street. The last part settled was at Morro do Gambá itself.
Locals often call the community “da Gambá”. The city hall registers it as Nossa Senhora da Guia. This name reflects the community’s deep connection to Morro do Gambá.
Imagine the views from Morro do Gambá. Nearby are Lins de Vasconcelos Méier and Engenho de Dentro. You can also see Floresta dos Pretos Forros and Serra dos Pretos-Forros. Nearby is the Tijuca National Park.
Picture the Guanabara Bay basin. The city expanded west and south. The natural environment shaped Rio. The city has modified the Guanabara Bay area. ImagineRio aims to map the area’s historical environments.
Consider the early days of Rio. It was a fortress on Morro do Castelo. Residents moved down to the harbor in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Streets grew between four hills.
Rio became a major port city. The transatlantic slave trade intensified. Enslaved people disembarked in Rio. The city’s landscape changed.
Visitors described the mountains around the bay. Experienced sailors used the mountain shapes to navigate. They recognized their location.
Early maps of Guanabara Bay show the coastline. They show river mouths. The bay’s sugar plantations marked changes in the land. Morro do Gambá was part of this evolving landscape.
The oldest surviving map names Rio de Janeiro around 1519. The Guanabara Bay has a distinctive shape. Red dots mark the bay’s many islands. Two major rivers flow into it.
Remember Magellan’s visit in 1519. His crew traded with indigenous people. They provisioned their ships for the journey south.
Hans Staden’s map depicts a battle. Portuguese ships fought French ships. Tupinambá and Margaia warriors joined.
Thevet’s map labels the Carioca River. It marks a river mouth. Mountains and forests covered the landscape. Natives settled the land.
Jean de Léry described the Guanabara Bay. Mountains surrounded it. He lived on Coligny Island. It lacked fresh water.
Léry described the rocky shores and oysters. He noted different types of water. He detailed Native fishing methods. Staden’s woodcut shows Native fishing.
Imagine Morro do Gambá. It is a landmark. It is also a testament to Rio’s history. Its deforested slopes tell a story of change. The ongoing reforestation shows hope.