Morros Pão de Açúcar, Urca e Cara de Cão

Sweeping across Guanabara Bay, two iconic peaks rise, Morros Pão de Açúcar and Urca. They stand as sentinels, guarding the entrance to Rio de Janeiro. Since Rio’s founding, Morros Pão de Açúcar and Urca have been vital landmarks. They’ve guided ships into the harbor, their distinctive shapes etched against the sky. In 1912, the bondinho, the cable car to Pão de Açúcar’s summit, was built. This transformed Morros Pão de Açúcar and Urca into a global attraction. Visitors from around the world flocked to experience the breathtaking views. Despite their importance, these majestic morros lacked proper legal protection for decades. Their scenic, historical, and environmental significance was not officially recognized until much later. In 1938, a preservation effort began. This included nearby landmarks like the Babilônia and Cara de Cão hills. All were grouped under “Morros do Distrito Federal”. They were listed in historical and artistic registries. Later, in 1973, this protection was reinforced. Each hill, including Pão de Açúcar, Urca, Corcovado, Dois Irmãos, and Pedra da Gávea, received individual listings in the Archaeological, Ethnographic and Landscape registry. Morros Pão de Açúcar and Urca have faced other challenges. In the early 1960s, a favela began to grow on Morro da Urca. It reached about 40 shacks before the army intervened and removed it. The officer in charge, Lieutenant Stein, was granted permission to live in the house still standing at the entrance to the Cláudio Coutinho trail. Until the late 1980s, the army restricted access to the morros via this trail. Only fishermen, climbers, and military personnel were allowed. During this period, invasive grasses caused frequent fires. This prompted the State Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply and the Sugarloaf Cable Car Company to initiate reforestation efforts. Combined with the army’s access restrictions, these initiatives fostered a remarkable regeneration of the native vegetation. In the late 1980s, public access to Morros Pão de Açúcar and Urca was restored. This led to increased visitors, but also environmental issues like littering, graffiti, and plant and animal removal. Concerned by this, the Ecological Action Group (GAE) proposed creating a protected area. Initially called “Reserva Florestal do Pão de Açúcar”, the name was later changed to “Parque Municipal do Pão de Açúcar”. The question of land ownership, however, complicated the establishment of the park. Was it federal, state, or municipal land? This uncertainty stalled the process for years. After much debate and with the GAE’s persistent advocacy, the UNESCO’s criticism of the lack of environmental protection for the area further fueled the movement. Finally, on June 1, 2006, the “Morros Pão de Açúcar and Urca Natural Monument” was officially established. This designation protects the area’s unique environment, preserves its historic and scenic value, and ensures its continued enjoyment as a recreational space.