 The Artisitic Neighborhood of Santa Tereza is easy to reach: you go up
from Largo do Carioca with the historic streetcar, called "Bonde" after
it's inventor. The streetcar makes his way over the Arcos da Lapa, an
ancient aquaeduct from the 16th century, and then runs through the
winding cobbled streets, passing by colonial style mansions and huge
gardens.
 You
go out on Largo dos Guimarães, central point of the enchanting
neighborhood, where you find a baker, a Café and "Cine Santa Teresa ",
a small Cinema with excellent Brazilian and International films.
If you pass along the street, you'll find a lot of charming,
nostalgic bars and restaurants, most famous of all "Bar do Mineiro ".
"Bar do Marcô" has Bossa Nova Jazz on Fridays, from noon. There are
plenty things to discover, above Largo dos Guimarães you find a book
shop an café "Largo das Letras".
History of Santa Tereza
The neighbourhood of Santa Teresa originated around the Santa Teresa Convent,
built in the 1750s on the Desterro hill. At the end of the 19th
and early 20th century it was an upper class borough, as testified by
its magnificent mansions, many of which are now have been rebuilt, and turned into charming B&Bs, Inns and Hotels in Santa Teresa.
In 1896, the Carioca Aqueduct, Arcos da Lapa, a colonial structure that
used to bring water to the centre of Rio, was converted into a bridge
for The Santa Teresa Historic
Tramway (Bondinho). The Bondinho is still in use today - the
only one in Rio - and is a popular attraction among tourists. The streetcars recently have been rebuilt, and you will see a new, historic tramway. The ride
starts in the city centre, near the Largo da Carioca square,
crosses the old aqueduct and goes through the picturesque streets of the
neighbourhood. Wonderful views of the city downhill can be appreciated.
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Guesthouse B&B Casa Aurea Inn - Rua Aurea, 80 - Santa Teresa - Rio de Janeiro Brazil Phone + 55 21 2242-5830 
