It began at his front door
In 1990 Selarón started covering the broken steps outside his house; the project grew until it reached the top.
Urban Tales › Rio de Janeiro › Escadaria Selarón
Escadaria Selarón: the history, and the staircase one man tiled for 23 years
A staircase of 215 steps covered in tiles from all over the world, the life's work of one artist. Here's what you're looking at, and what to listen for when you get there.
ArtistJorge Selarón (Chile)
Started1990
Steps215 (≈ 125 m)
Tiles2,000+, from 60+ countries
Hear the Escadaria Selarón story, in the app's voice
A short preview. The full story plays on its own when you walk up to it with Urban Tales.
Three stories most visitors miss
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Tiles from everywhere
He paid for it by selling his paintings, and visitors from all over the world sent or brought tiles, so you can find pieces from more than 60 countries.
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Green, yellow and blue
The main colours are those of the Brazilian flag, a homage to the country that took him in; look for the pregnant woman he painted on hundreds of tiles himself.
TipArrive early in the morning to photograph the steps without the crowds, and look for tiles from your own country. With Urban Tales running, the steps' story plays as you reach the bottom in Lapa.
Nearby landmarks
Escadaria Selarón: common questions
Who made the Escadaria Selarón?
Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón, who started in 1990 and kept changing tiles until his death in 2013.
How many steps does the Escadaria Selarón have?
215 steps, about 125 metres, between Rua Joaquim Silva in Lapa and Rua Pinto Martins in Santa Teresa.
Where do the Selarón tiles come from?
More than 60 countries; many were sent or brought by visitors.