One of my favorite places in the center of Rio de Janeiro. Surrounded by many restored colonial buildings as well as the João Caetano and Carlos Gomes theaters.the old royal library with carved wood reading room. A couple of years back the entire plaza was rebuilt and traffic reformulated. No longer just a bus stop but beautiful area with the magnificent statue with cobblestones and Portuguese stones.

Tiradentes was a Mineiro freedom fighter in the 1700's and the portguese colonial rulers. The name comes from his early occupation as a dentist. Tirar means to take out or away, pull, etc. And the dentes part is self-explanatory. Around this square are many colonial building in various states of rehab. The next street over is where the newly-rehabbed Colonial Mint is located, fronting onto the Praca da Republica. Bordered on another side by the Firefighter's Castle in bright reds and silvers. Shiny aluminum. Museum inside that Oz and I visited.

A number of benches under shady trees to give a respite from the hubbub of the big city.

Beautiful! Stunning! Thank you for sharing!