Downtown Rio’s Traditional Handicraft and Antiques Market Reopens Weekly

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – After a six-month suspension, the traditional handicraft and antiques market on Lavradio Street, in Lapa, downtown Rio, was set up again on Saturday, October 3rd. An initiative of the Polo Novo Rio Antigo, the market has traditionally opened on the first Saturday of each month, attracting thousands of tourists and visitors, but will now become a weekly addition to Rio’s cultural scene.

The event has become weekly because of the required sanitary measures to contain the spread of Covid-19. Exhibitors will be allowed to participate only one Saturday in each month, thus to increasing the spacing between the stalls.

The wearing of masks by exhibitors is mandatory, in addition to the offer of sanitizer gel at all stalls. Bars and restaurants on Lavradio Street that open must also respect all the city’s health rules to prevent crowds.

Dividing between days will be made according to each stall’s original location along the street. On Saturday, the first and third block exhibitors on Lavradio Street, located between  Visconde do Rio Branco and Senado streets and between Chile Avenue and Resende Street were authorized. The antique dealers and craftsmen will be redistributed along the entire exhibition area, which runs from Mem de Sá Avenue to Visconde do Rio Branco Street.

The Lavradio Market, also called Rio Antigo Market, was created 22 years ago as a tourist and cultural event that contributes to the socio-cultural regeneration of Rio Antigo.

The first residential street in the city, Lavradio Street was opened in 1771 by the Viceroy Marquis of Lavradio. The 18th and 19th century mansions are part of the street’s attractions, and currently house antique shops, bars and restaurants. Street performances and capoeira rounds usually occur at the market.