Morro do Tucum

Climbing Morro do Tucum, have you ever wondered about its neighbors? Morro do Tucum isn’t alone in these hills. It stands in a city shaped by peaks and valleys, a landscape that has witnessed dramatic transformations. One such transformation involved a vanished neighbor of Morro do Tucum, a peak that once dominated Rio’s skyline: Morro do Castelo. This lost hill played a crucial role in Rio’s history, from its founding to its dramatic demise. Established in 1567 atop Morro do Castelo, Rio de Janeiro flourished. The hill offered a strategic vantage point against invaders. It became the city’s heart, a hub of activity and growth. For centuries, Morro do Castelo pulsed with life, witnessing the ebb and flow of history. But progress, as it often does, had other plans. In the early 20th century, a wave of modernization swept through Rio. Inspired by European cities, officials sought to reshape Rio into a “Paris of the Tropics.” This meant sweeping changes, and Morro do Castelo became a casualty of this ambition. In 1922, under the guise of creating space for a World Expo, Morro do Castelo was demolished. The hill that had stood for centuries was reduced to rubble. This act, meant to modernize Rio, also erased a vital piece of its history. Only fragments of Morro do Castelo remain. A small section of the Ladeira da Misericórdia, the hill’s first street, still exists. This remnant serves as a poignant reminder of the lost landscape. Even though Morro do Castelo is gone, its memory persists. The area where it once stood is still called Castelo. Buses still travel to this vanished destination, carrying passengers to a place that exists only in name and memory. So, as you gaze at Morro do Tucum, remember its lost neighbor, Morro do Castelo. Its story is a reminder that even in a city of constant change, the echoes of the past can still be heard.