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By Janko Hoener – Wikimedia

Top 10 Facts about Escadaria Selarón in Rio de Janeiro

This is the most beautiful staircase in the world. One cannot miss visiting this site when in Rio de Janeiro.

What makes these steps unique is their colour and the work and art that was put into it. The staircase is found in the Lapa neighbourhood close to Cidade Maravilhosa.

These steps were named after the artist who dedicated his time and money in creating them. Jorge Selaron was a Chilean artist who fell in love with Rio de Janeiro and gifted the Brazilian people with colourful steps.  

The bright tiles have been featured in popular music videos as well as a backdrop for photos shared on social media and for keepsake.

One thing though is that there is a lot that people do not know about the Selaron steps. Here are the top 10 facts about these brightly coloured steps.

1. The steps were a thank you gift to the people of Brazil by a Chilean artist

By Janko Hoener – Wikimedia

Jorge Selarón was a Chilean artist who fell in love with Rio de Janeiro. He had travelled to over 50 countries and settled in Brazil.

Being a world traveller, Jorge found a perfect home in this city. He was not only an artist but also a painter.

His house was close to a staircase that linked Lapa and Santa Teresa neighbourhoods. While living here, Selaron lived a simple life and sol his paintings to earn a living.

He took it upon himself to repair the stairs and give it a splash of colour. This was his thank-you project to the people of Rio and Brazil.

2. It was not as colourful as it is now

When Selaron first moved to this bohemian neighbourhood, the stairs were in bad shape and grey in colour.

Being a ceramic artist, Selaron started working on the steps in front of his house by tiling them. He used yellow, green and blue tiles in honour of the Brazilian flag.

Selaron used hand-painted tiles and mirrors to give the stairs more pomp. This project started off at his doorstep and he figured it would be perfect to work on all the 215 steps.

In order to do that, Selaron bought more tiles and when he ran out of cash, he sold his paintings.

3. Jorge Selarón raised money on his own to buy more tiles

By Davidwtucker77 -Wikimedia

While working on the steps Selaron often ran out of money, to replenish his supplies he would go back to painting.

He would take up painting jobs while also searching through antique shops looking for tiles. Trash piles were not spared either, he looked everywhere for tiles.

Selaron worked on each section of the stairs separately. Each had its own unique style and colour. People soon started to notice his work and would send him tiles from their countries.

There are tiles from 60 different countries on these steps.   He also got tiles from construction sites all over Rio.  

4. There are a total of 215 steps

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The steps run from Joaquim Silva street to Pinto Martins street. They connect the Lapa and Santa Teresa neighbourhoods in Rio de Janeiro.

There are 215 steps that are about 125 metres long. The entire staircase is made up of over 2000 tiles that were sent from over 60 countries around the world.

Out of the 2000 tiles, about 300 hand-painted tiles in the steps too. One that stands out has a pregnant African woman painted on it.

5. One can find eateries at the bottom of the steps

These steps brought with them a fresh breath of air to the neighbourhood. This bohemian neighbourhood that was neglected started to gain public attention.

Both local and foreign tourists came to see the steps and the highlight was during the Rio Olympics in 2016.

Today, you will find restaurants and pubs at the foot of the stairs that are always overflowing with tourists. This neighbourhood is famous for its nightlife.

There are other attractions close to the stairs in the Santa Teresa neighbourhood. One can find art galleries, beautiful architecture and eclectic restaurants with beautiful views of Rio de Janeiro.

6. The steps have been featured by many international media

By Janko Hoener – Wikimedia

Word on the magnificence of Selaron’s work spread far and wide. The steps have been featured in many famous magazines, newspapers, travel shows, documentaries and television commercials.

Some of the international media that have featured these steps include National Geographic Channel, American Express, Coca-Cola, Time and Playboy.

Pop culture artists like American rapper Snoop Dogg and the British Band U2 shot their music videos here.

These steps are considered to be among the top tourist attractions in Rio. They are a city landmark. Jorge Selaron was declared an honorary Rio resident in 2005 for his dedication to the community.

7. Jorge Selaron intended for the steps to be a side project

These steps started off as a side project for Selaron. With time, his neighbours and nearly residents started to take notice of his work.

The project caught the eye of other world travellers who would stop by and chat with Selaron. Selaron would always rock his red hat while tirelessly working on the steps.

When he ran out of tiles, his neighbours would give him tiles to add onto the staircase. His overseas fans would also send him tiles from their countries.

By the time he finished working on the steps, there were a total of 125 steps made of 2000 tiles from 60 countries.  

8. The red tiles on the steps were Selaron’s favourite

By Janko Hoener – Wikimedia

Other than the prominent blues, yellow and green tiles on these steps, one will also notice that there are red tiles too.

These red tiles were added last when Selaron had finished working on the steps. Red was his favourite colour and also the main colour of the Chilean flag.

The red tiles can be seen on both sides of the steps.  

9. The pregnant women tile on the steps remain a mystery

Some of the tiles that were used on these steps were hand-painted. One will not miss noticing the hand-painted tiles with images of pregnant African women.

No one knows the meaning behind this since Selaron never spoke about the art. Some people believe it has something to do with his past.

Not much is also known about his personal life and romantic relationships.   

10. Tourists brought tiles from their countries for Jorge Selaron

A photo of Jorge Selaron By Ilya Varlamov – Wikimedia

People from all over the world sent tiles from their home countries for Selaron to add to the staircase. This came in handy when he ran out of tiles and funds to buy more tiles. Selaron was widely known by both locals and foreigners who visited Rio.

Jorge Selaron died in 2013 aged 65. Initial police investigations indicated foul play but they later reported that it was suicide.