Escadaria Selarón

Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

---

The Selarón Steps (Escadaria Selarón) are a vibrant, ever-evolving mosaic staircase nestled between the Lapa and Santa Teresa neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro. Created by Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón, the 215 steps are adorned with over 2,000 tiles from more than 60 countries, transforming a once-neglected stairway into a world-famous piece of public art.

Selarón began the project in 1990 as a personal tribute to the Brazilian people. What started as a modest renovation using tiles in the colors of Brazil’s flag soon became a lifelong obsession. He funded the work by selling his paintings and accepted tile donations from visitors around the globe. Red tiles, his favorite color and a nod to his Chilean roots, eventually became a dominant feature.

The steps stretch 125 meters and connect Rua Joaquim Silva to Rua Pinto Martins (officially Rua Manuel Carneiro), just a short walk from the Arcos da Lapa. Selarón famously declared the work would only be complete upon his death — and true to his word, he continued modifying the steps until he passed away in 2013.