Last updated on December 20, 2023.

Fort Duque de Caxias (Forte Duque de Caxias), a working military base in the Leme area of Rio de Janeiro, is open to visitors.

Forte Duque de Caxias in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Entrance to the fort at ground level

 

Visiting

For no charge (as of July 2023), visitors can climb up to the top of Morro do Leme to see a historic fort along with stunning views of the city. The fort is open daily except Mondays.

 

Walking Up

It takes about 20 minutes to reach the top of Morro do Leme and it’s not a difficult walk. If you’re lucky, you might spot monkeys on the way. The walk is through a protected natural area, which is a small remaining part of the Atlantic Rain Forest (Mata Atlântica).

Morro do Leme in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Morro do Leme
The path to Forte Duque de Caxias in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The path up to Fort Duque de Caxias
Monkey on Morro do Leme in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Monkey

 

At the Top

Once at the top, there is a historic fort museum which isn’t of much interest. I was able to walk through the hallways and see different parts of the fort. The fort was originally constructed in 1776 and was named Watchtower Fort (Forte da Vigia). It was built in response to a Spanish invasion of Portuguese-held Colonia del Sacramento, now in Uruguay. It was renamed Fort Duque de Caxias in 1935.

Forte Duque de Caxias in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Entrance to the fort
Forte Duque de Caxias in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Guns on top of the fort
Forte Duque de Caxias in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Corridor through the fort

 

Views from the Fort

What’s great about visiting this fort is the views of Corcovado, CopacabanaSugarloaf Mountain from above. It’s better not to go on a hazy day like I did.

View of Corcovado from Forte Duque de Caxias in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
View of Corcovado
View of Copacabana from Forte Duque de Caxias in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Looking over Copacabana Beach
View of Pão de Açúcar from Forte Duque de Caxias in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
View of Sugarloaf Mountain
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Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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