Escadaria Selarón

The Escadaria Selarón, also known as the Selarón Steps, is a world-famous work of art created by Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón. In 1990, Selarón began renovating the dilapidated steps that ran in front of his house in a fit of inspiration, using fragments of blue, green, and yellow tiles—the colors of the Brazilian flag. What started as a side project to beautify his neighborhood soon transformed into an all-consuming obsession that would define the rest of his life. Neighbors initially mocked his choice of colors, but Selarón persisted, claiming his work was a tribute to the Brazilian people. Over time, the project expanded significantly as Selarón began incorporating red tiles—his favorite color—and tiles donated by travelers from all over the world. The staircase eventually grew to cover 215 steps and spans 125 meters, featuring more than 2,000 tiles collected from over 60 countries. Selarón famously considered the steps a 'living' work of art, constantly swapping out tiles and evolving the mosaic until his mysterious death on these very steps in 2013. Today, the site stands as a vibrant monument to artistic passion and has become an iconic symbol of Rio de Janeiro's bohemian spirit. It has been featured in numerous international music videos, including Snoop Dogg's 'Beautiful' and U2's 'Walk On,' cementing its status as a global cultural landmark.