The Seven-Hour Tour of Rio Continues: Lapa

Inside the Metropolitan Cathedral: Spectacular interior, controversial exterior.

The grand tour of Rio de Janeiro continued on to Lapa. 

We didn't not take the tram. The tram still runs through this residential neighborhood, Santa Teresa, at the base of Corcovado and Cristo Redentor. This used to be the upscale part of Rio a century ago until the wealthy people of Rio woke up one day and, all the sudden, realized, "Hey. Some of the most beautiful beaches on the whole planet are just down the hill. Why don't we move down there and live in expensive ocean front property?" And so they did. And so this neighborhood went into a long decline and slow decay.

And like the Rio super-rich a century ago, we are working our way to sea level. And speaking of working one's way down to sea level:

This is the old city aqueduct. It brought fresh water from the peaks of Tijuca and the surrounding hills, down to the City of Rio de Janeiro. It's no longer a functioning aqueduct. But it's repurposed. It functions as elevated tram tracks.

This is the exterior of Catedral Metropolitana de São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro. Remind you of anything?

Think. To a past vacation.

Mayan pyramids! It looks like a Mayan pyramid. Perhaps Tikal, such as pictured above. Perhaps Chichen Itza. But it doesn't look like a Catholic Church. And it is not Brazilian in style.

Another view of the cathedral-pyramid, rising from behind the former-but-not-repurposed aqueduct:

Outside the cathedral is Mother Teresa:

While Catholic Me may not be a fan of the pagan-style exterior, the interior is awesome. Here, with the lights at the top of the pyramid, the long, climbing, "stained glass" lights form a cross. 

This is the alter:

I guess all the alters in the major cathedrals of South American cities cannot be adorned with an excess of gold leaf. At least the crucifixion scene hanging over the alter did not go to complete modern excess and have the crucifixion depicted in such a stylized manner that all connection to the actual crucifixion is lost.

And here is the honoree of this cathedral: São Sebastião, St. Sebastian:

He is the patron saint of Rio de Janeiro (because the city was founded on his feast day) (he never visited here) (he died around A.D. 288 in the Diocletian persecution of the Christians). I am not sure why he is a carriage, especially such a lavish-looking one. I guess it's to parade him around in style on his feast day, January 20.

The Mother Teresa statue is a main Kodak Photo Spot at the cathedral.

Less so Saint John Paul II.

He's out in the front, up on a pedestal, away from the foot traffic. 

Next stop: Niteroi.