Gávea is an affluent residential neighborhood located in the South Zone of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It borders the São Conrado, Rio de Janeiro, Leblon, Rio de Janeiro, Lagoa and Jardim Botânico neighborhoods and is famous for its high concentration of artists and intellectuals. PUC-Rio, one of the most important universities of the Rio de Janeiro state, as well as several schools are located in the neighborhood. Gávea is well known because of the "Baixo Gávea" area, which is considered a Bohemian quarter and which is frequented by the city's youth.
The first Europeans to have lived in what would become the neighborhood were the French, who came to extract Brazilwood. On July 16, 1565, the neighbourhood was named Gávea for the first time, by Estácio de Sá.
The neighborhood is named Gávea (which means topsail in Portuguese) because of an 852m height peak (Gávea Rock, or Pedra da Gávea) which resembles the topsail of the carrack, a sailing ship.
The Hipódromo da Gávea is a horse racing venue located in the neighborhood. Estádio da Gávea the home of CR Flamengo football club, despite being named after the neighborhood, is actually located in Lagoa neighborhood. Gávea was the site of a street circuit that hosted Grand Prix racing in the 1930s and 40s.
Gávea is a Portuguese word meaning topsail. In Brazil it can also refer to:
Sitting in a dark room
Falling to pieces
Try to find the right words
So you can sing along
Wear it like a tight noose
I don't wanna feel this
Might of made a wrong move
Now I'm all alone
I never know which way to go
A million thoughts I can't control
The city sleeps, but I can't close my eyes
California
California
Drowning in a bright room
Faking the feelings
Wonder if the right words
Are even here at all
I'm living through the hardest part
In a city full of fallen stars
A million dreams I can't close my eyes
California
California