Minhocao

Welcome to the Meen-yo-kah-oon, an architectural anomaly that serves as a visceral pulse point for the city of Sao Paulo. Officially known as the Via Elevada Presidente Joao Goulart, this 3.4-kilometer elevated highway is…

Our journey commences at the foot of Praça Roosevelt, a square named after the American president Franklin Delano Roosevelt. This area serves as a critical threshold, a space famous for its counter-culture roots, where the…

As we walk further, the grey concrete of the city is dramatically interrupted by bursts of color. You are now in what can only be described as an open-air art museum. …

The proximity of the residential buildings to the Minhocão provides a rare glimpse into the private lives of the city's inhabitants. This is where the scholarly observer can see the 'grandma style' of Italian influence, where…

As the highway curves, the skyline of Sao Paulo reveals some of its most prestigious landmarks. To your left, you can see the distinctive, undulating form of the Edificio Copan, designed by the legendary architect Oscar Niemeyer. …

Directly adjacent to the highway stands a vibrant architectural landmark that brings a splash of color to the urban landscape: the Church of Santa Cecília. This beautiful yellow structure is a focal point for the surrounding…

As we continue our descent toward the Barra Funda neighborhood, we encounter a piece of local lore: the Castelinho da Rua Apa, or the Little Castle of Apa Street. This building, which resembles a miniature medieval fortress or a…

We are now entering the final stretch of our walk as the highway moves through the neighborhood of Higienópolis. This is traditionally one of the more affluent areas of Sao Paulo, characterized by wide streets, lush greenery, and…

As we conclude our journey at the Barra Funda terminus, we must reflect on the ongoing debate surrounding the fate of the Minhocão. The city stands at a crossroads. …