Pedra do Sal: Birthplace of Rio’s Samba
Just a short walk from Mural da Lapa, Pedra do Sal offers a living reminder of the city’s Afro‑Brazilian roots and the music that shaped Brazil.
Pedra do Sal sits in the Saúde district, a few blocks from the lively streets of Lapa.
The site was originally a quilombo village, a community formed by escaped slaves who built homes on the hill.
In 1984 the Institute for State Cultural Heritage officially recognized the stone, preserving the memory of the African‑descended residents who still gather there today.
From this base the area known locally as Little Africa grew, and the stone became a natural stage for early samba and choro music.
Great sambistas such as Donga, João da Baiana, Pixinguinha and Heitor dos Prazeres first played their rhythms on the steps of Pedra do Sal.
