Vale do Anhangabaú

Welcome to the Vale do Anhangabaú, the historic and symbolic center of the megalopolis that is São Paulo. As we stand here, surrounded by soaring skyscrapers and bustling viaducts, it is easy to forget that we are actually in a…

Standing atop the Viaduto do Chá, you are on the city’s very first viaduct, inaugurated in 1892. Its name, 'Tea Viaduct,' recalls the era when this part of the city was dominated by vast tea plantations. …

Overlooking the valley is the imposing Edifício Matarazzo, also known as the Banespa Building or 'Palácio do Anhangabaú.' Since 2004, it has served as the headquarters of the São Paulo Municipal Government. Designed by Italian…

At the northern end of the Vale stands the majestic Palácio dos Correios, now the Centro Cultural Correios. Inaugurated in 1922 to celebrate the centenary of Brazilian independence, this building was designed by the office of the…

One of the most fascinating 'hidden' aspects of the Vale do Anhangabaú is the hydrological network that exists beneath the concrete. As we mentioned, the valley is the confluence of three main rivers: the Saracura (underneath 9…

The Vale do Anhangabaú is not just a physical space; it is a sacred space for Brazilian democracy. Over the decades, it has hosted some of the largest political gatherings in the country’s history. …

On any given evening, especially on a Friday night, the Vale do Anhangabaú is transformed into a massive urban playground. The wide, flat stretches of concrete and the various ledges and stairs have made it a premier destination…

As our tour of the Vale do Anhangabaú comes to an end, take a moment to look up at the ring of skyscrapers that encircle this historic depression. We have seen how the valley has transitioned from a sacred river to a tea…