Cableway to the sugar loaf. "Sugar Loafs" in the Russian Empire and in Iran. Why "sugar loaf"

Few people going to Brazil, have not heard of the famous mountain sugar loaf(port. Pão de Açúcar, English Sugar Loaf). And if, for the first time coming to Rio de Janeiro, you immediately, opening your mouth with admiration, fall in love with this magical city, then the next day, after climbing the 396-meter picturesque mountain, you completely and irrevocably lose your head, realizing that Rio will henceforth remain in your heart forever.

Why "sugarloaf"?

Indeed, why was the mountain named that way, because it is a rather strange name? There are several versions.

One of them tells that once upon a time, even before the usual sand and refined sugar were invented in the second half of the 19th century, sugar was presented only in the form of a high cone with a rounded top and because of this it was called “sugar bread” (English sugarloaf). This shape reminded the Portuguese, who in the 16th century transported cane sugar from Brazil to Europe, the famous mountain. According to another version, the Indians are the indigenous people Gulf of Guanabara(Guanabara Bay), where it sticks out sugar loaf, in their Tupi language they called this mountain “Pau-nh-açuquã”, which in translation meant only “high hill”, but was very consonant with the Portuguese “Pão de Açúcar”, i.e. "sugar bread". And some residents of Rio explain the name simply: the mountain looks like a lump of sugar melting in the bay. Which version is better and more plausible, decide for yourself.

cable car

Climb to sugar loaf You can use a special cable car, which was built back in 1912. At that time it was one of the first funiculars in the whole world. But don't worry, after 1912 the system has been repeatedly updated and improved and now it is a super modern and safe facility. Each booth can accommodate up to 65 people and has a 360-degree view due to large transparent windows.

The journey upstairs takes place in two stages, each of which lasts literally 3 minutes, but the passengers’ emotions during this time just go off scale, because snow-white the beaches of Rio, azure shores of the Atlantic, picturesque hills and mountains. These panoramas are extraordinarily beautiful as in a dream, so you will certainly want to pinch yourself.

The first lift is from Praia Vermelha(port. Praia Vermelha - “red beach”) on Mount Urka(Morro da Urca).

On the 220 meters Mount Urka there is a helipad from which those who wish can fly over Rio and the equally famous mountain Corcovado(or Corcovado, port. Corcovado) with statue of Christ the Redeemer(Cristo Redentor). The pleasure is not cheap, but I am more than sure that it is worth the money.

Already from an intermediate stop to Mount Urka magnificent panoramas of the heart of Brazil open - an incredibly beautiful city Rio de Janeiro.

In addition to the heliport, there is also a concert and entertainment complex, a souvenir shop, a bar and a coffee shop where you can have a bite to eat at tables on the outdoor terrace while admiring the beautiful views.

The second lift is mountains of Urca already directly on sugar loaf.

Here, at almost 400 meters altitude, the best views and panoramas of Rio de Janeiro. Cidade Maravilhosa (port. "magnificent city") will appear before you at a glance: inviting beaches Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon And Flamengo, Mount Corcovado with the Statue of Christ embracing his beloved city, Guanabara bay, the center of Rio, the airport and the Rio Niteroi Bridge, etc.

How to get there

From Copacabana beach before Praia Vermelha the walk will take about 50 minutes.

Sugar Loaf - a series of hills located on the peninsula of Urca, consists of the rock Sugar Loaf (which gave the name to the complex) and Mount Babylon. Sugar Loaf Mountain, along with the statue of Christ the Savior, is the "face" of the city of Rio de Janeiro and one of the most famous places in Brazil. The unique natural features that surround it in the waters of Guanabara Bay make this place attractive to tourists.

As an added bonus, a cable car ride to the top is offered, linking Praia Vermelha and Moro da Urca with Sugar Loaf. The route and design of the lift was developed in 1908 and opened in 1912, becoming the first lift installed in the country and the third in the world. For more than ninety years of its existence, it has transported about thirty million people. The last cable car station offers panoramic views of the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Pan de Azucar - the highest rock of the complex - consists of a solid granite-gneiss block more than six hundred million years old, which arose during the separation of the South American continent and Africa. Its height is 395 meters above sea level. It is rich in various plant species, several endemic species of bromeliads and orchids grow here. The southern slope is covered with an almost continuous vegetative carpet, making a striking contrast with the poor flora of the northern side. The bottom is surrounded by the remnants of the Atlantic forest, at the top is the last cable car station.

The name of the mountain is associated with the production of sugar from cane, when the product was packaged into pieces of a similar shape for transportation. Another version says that the name in the native languages ​​\u200b\u200bwas Pau-nh-acuqua and was translated as "high hill".

In addition to a mechanical lift, you can get to the top by one of the 270 climbing routes organized by specialized companies. The first ascent was made along the eastern, most gentle slope, in 1817. Albert Einstein, John F. Kennedy and Elton John have visited Sugarloaf. American tightrope walker Stephen McPeak walked along the rope of the lift with a counterweight pole. The top of Pan de Azucar has been the backdrop for several movie scenes.

It differs from other mountains and hills in Rio in that a Portuguese settlement was founded near it in 1565, which later became the city of Rio de Janeiro. But we are primarily interested in the practical and tourist side of the issue. Sugar Loaf has a cable car and offers great views of Rio. That's where we'll go.

How to get to Sugarloaf

Sugar Loaf Mountain itself is located in the Urca region. The beginning of the ascent is located at the end of Pasteur Avenue (Avenida Pasteur, 520). You can get here by tourist bus Turistico City Rio. They arrive at the central square of General Tiburcio, next to which there are ticket offices where they sell tickets for the cable car.

It will be cheaper to take the local bus No. 107, 511, 512, 513. The nearest station is Botafogo, buses number 511 or 513 run from it. The bus fare is about 1 USD, by metro 1.2 USD.

Or if you go far and inconvenient, you can take a taxi. It is inexpensive, for example, a taxi from Ipanema Beach to Sugar Loaf cost us 17 R $ (5 USD).

The most economical ones can walk from the Botafogo metro to the Sugarloaf, on foot for about 20 minutes.

Sugar Loaf Tickets

The cost of a ticket for Sugar Loaf for adults is 62 R$ (20 USD), children from 6 to 12 years old 31 R$ (10 USD), children under 6 years old are free of charge.

Tickets are on sale daily from 8.00 to 19.50.

You can climb the mountain from 8.10 to 21.00.

The funicular has 3 stops: Red Beach (Praia Vermelha) - landing and beginning of the ascent, Mount Urca (altitude 220 meters) - this is the second stop and Mount Sugar Loaf (396 meters) - the highest point, the third stop. The climb between any two stops takes approximately 3-5 minutes.

Advice: The first mountain (Urca) can be climbed on foot, saving half the money on the funicular and getting an unforgettable experience of climbing. The entrance to the path is marked with a sign and this passage is quite official. In order to find the entrance to the path, you need to face the beach from Praia Vermelha, turn right into the park and follow the path until you see the rise. The first 5 meters are quite steep, then it takes 10-15 minutes to climb the stairs and at the end of 5 minutes along a gentle path to the very top.

At the Urka mountain stop there is a large observation deck with all sorts of goodies, souvenirs, cafes, there is even a helipad with a helicopter that can take you for 10 minutes for some 300 USD.

Almost the entire city is visible from the Sugar Loaf, for example, the famous Copacabana beach is in full view.

You can see the entire Guanabara Bay and Flamenco Beach.

If the haze is not very dense, then the statue of Christ the Redeemer is perfectly visible from the Sugar Loaf.

Sugar Loaf has, among other things, a small museum where you can learn about the history of this place, as well as a very pleasant park where local animals, Miku monkeys and various tropical birds live.

It is better to come to the Sugar Loaf in the late afternoon (at 17.00), at this time there are not so many people and most importantly you can see Rio day and night (it gets dark at about 18.00).

Reference

• A ticket to the Sugarloaf costs 62 R$ (20 USD)
• The Sugar Loaf Funicular is open daily from 8.00 to 21.00
• The height of Sugar Loaf Mountain is 396 meters
• You can climb Mount Urca on your own without a funicular.

Guanabara Bay- this is an amazing place where islands, hills and the sea alternate. But the most exotic sugar loaf this bay of Rio de Janeiro, followed by countless beaches.

The height of the Sugarloaf is only 396 meters. But its slopes are completely sheer, no vegetation grows on them. That's why the conquest sugar loaf- a tricky business. In 1565, the Portuguese settled at the foot of the mountain. But for the first time, an Englishwoman managed to conquer the Sugarloaf, it happened in 1817. Then the British flag was installed on the peak of the mountain. Today, Sugar Mountain is a favorite place for tourists. Now travelers do not have to climb up the steep cliffs, they climb the Sugarloaf in cozy funiculars.


visit sugar loaf- an obligatory part of the excursion program Rio de Janeiro. And this is truly an unforgettable train and amazing experience!

Sugarloaf offers tourists its observation decks, an incredibly fabulous view of Rio de Janeiro, a wonderful landscape of the blue sea and golden beaches, the panorama of the city at night and the luminous statue of Christ, located on Mount Corcovado, and, of course, the very top of the rock. Many visitors are interested in the origin of the mountain's sweet name. sugar loaf. There are several versions of the origin of this name, but it is still not clear which one is correct. But the first thing that comes to mind is the shape of the Sugarloaf. To some, it resembles a sugar cube, to others, an Easter cake. Locals say that the mountain was originally called nothing more than "sugar bread". It is possible that the name of the mountain comes from the sugarcane that once grew here in abundance. Or an Indian phrase Pao de Açucar was simply misheard and misinterpreted by the Portuguese...


On the top sugar loaf even on a hot day it is cool and fresh. That is why there is nothing here but wonderful views of Rio de Janeiro. Next to the Sugarloaf is another rock mountain Urka. The height of this hill is only 220 meters. There is a large entertainment center with many restaurants, concert venues, etc. On Mount Urca you will be offered a helicopter ride over Rio de Janeiro - this is one of the most popular entertainment in Rio.