Rua Augusta is a street in
São Paulo
São Paulo (, ; Portuguese for 'Saint Paul') is the most populous city in Brazil, and is the capital of the state of São Paulo, the most populous and wealthiest Brazilian state, located in the country's Southeast Region. Listed by the GaWC a ...
, Brazil, connecting the neighborhood of
Jardins
Jardins (Portuguese language, Portuguese for ''Gardens'') is the name given to an upper class region of São Paulo (city), São Paulo city, which includes the neighbourhoods all comprised within the Subprefecture of Pinheiros:
* Jardim Paulista - ...
to the city's downtown. The upper part of the street, near Jardins is known as an upscale shopping street; the stretch known as ''Baixo Augusta'' (''Lower Augusta''), between the
Paulista Avenue
Paulista Avenue (Avenida Paulista in Portuguese, ''Paulista'' being the demonym for those born in the state of São Paulo) is one of the most important avenues in São Paulo, Brazil. It stretches and runs northwest to southeast. Its northwest p ...
and
Praça Roosevelt
Praça Roosevelt is a public square in São Paulo, Brazil. Construction of the square began in 1968 and was completed in 1970. After decades of decline, the square was renovated in 2011–12. A second renovation to expand the skate park on Praç ...
, is known by its nightlife, with clubs, bars and live music venues.
History
The first references of the street date from 1875, first as ''Rua Maria Augusta''; in 1897 the street already appears as ''Rua Augusta''. The street was part of the lands of the Portuguese Mariano António Vieira, owner of Chácara do Capão farm since 1880, when he opened several streets in Bela sintra neighborhood, including ''Rua da Real Grandeza'', current Avenida Paulista. Vieira decided to open a dirt trail, since the roads were very steep, to install donkey-pulled trams, in 1890. In 1891, with the inauguration of electric lights, the trams were powered by electricity.
Between 1910 and 1912 the street was extended to Rua Álvaro de Carvalho, becoming officialized in 1927. Until 1942 Rua Martins Fontes was part of Rua Augusta. The street gradually became a major prostitution point, at which time it was dismembered (Decree Law No. 153). From the opposite side, towards Jardins, its stretch to the Rua Estados Unidos was made official in 1914.
References
{{Visitor attractions in São Paulo
Streets in São Paulo