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City Hall begins restoration of the Lapa Arches.
Published on 16/03/2026 - 10:52 | Updated
Because it is a listed property, the work will follow traditional restoration techniques - Press Release The Rio de Janeiro City Hall, through the Secretariat of Conservation and Public Services, begins, this Monday (March 16), the restoration process of the Carioca Aqueduct, the popular Arcos da Lapa, one of the greatest landmarks of colonial architecture in Brazil, a heritage site listed by the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (Iphan) and a postcard image of the city. The last renovation was carried out in 2022.
With a budget of R$ 1,7 million, the service consists of cleaning and painting the Arches. To cover the entire structure – the monument has 42 Roman-style arches, 270 meters long and 17 meters high – the teams, made up of ten employees, will use scaffolding and other forms of vertical movement, such as elevating platforms, in addition to a group of industrial climbers who will use rappelling. The surrounding area will also be revitalized by the Department of Conservation, including the pavement of Praça Cardeal Câmara and the Portuguese stone walkway around it. The forecast is that all services will be completed in four months.
Because it is a listed building, the work will follow traditional restoration techniques, using mortar made from quicklime, which gives the arches their white color. The technique is the same one used during the construction of the old aqueduct and helps to maintain the original characteristics of the heritage site.
Whether by day, to admire the historical architecture, or at night, to enjoy the intense cultural life, Lapa remains among the most visited destinations in Rio. Data from the Carioca Tourism Observatory, of the Municipal Tourism Secretariat, shows that the neighborhood ranked seventh among the most visited spots by foreign tourists in 2025, with almost 347 visitors, and fourth in the preference of Brazilian tourists, with more than 1,2 million.
In total, Lapa received more than 7,4 million visitors last year, considering national and international tourists, as well as residents of Rio and the state. This number places the neighborhood sixth in the overall visitation ranking and represents a 10,5% increase compared to 2024, the largest ever recorded since the beginning of the historical series of the Rio Tourism Observatory in 2023.
– The Lapa Arches are one of the greatest symbols of Old Rio and a historical landmark that deserves to be cared for and preserved. Especially because they are near concert venues, such as Circo Voador and Fundição Progresso, we ask that you conserve this public heritage that belongs to all of us, as if you were taking care of an extension of your own home – stated the Secretary of Conservation, Diego Vaz.
History of the monument
The Carioca Aqueduct, known as the Arcos da Lapa, was built between 1723 and 1750, replacing the previous wooden model with a stone and lime structure. Designed by engineer José Fernandes Pinto Alpoim, the aqueduct aimed to bring water from the Carioca River to the center of Rio de Janeiro, initially supplying the fountain in Largo da Carioca. Since 1896, it has served as a route for the tram connecting the city center to the Santa Teresa neighborhood. With the creation of IPHAN (National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage) in 1938, it was protected by heritage listing and became a city landmark.
