Engenho Novo


Engenho Novo is a neighborhood of middle class and lower middle of the North Zone of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It neighbors the neighborhoods Méier, Vila Isabel, Lins de Vasconcelos, Sampaio, Jacaré, Cachambi and Grajaú. It has 264.48 hectares of land area. It is part of a region called the Grande Méier encompassing the neighborhoods of the Abolição, Água Santa, Cachambi, Encantado, Engenho de Dentro, Jacaré, Lins de Vasconcelos, Méier, Piedade, Pilares, Riachuelo, Rocha, Sampaio, São Francisco Xavier and Todos os Santos. It is the fifth largest district population group.
The neighborhood is served by the Engenho Novo Station on the Deodoro Line of the Supervia rail network.
It is cut by the Rio Jacaré which is currently severely degraded by urbanization and consequent pollution.
It has an active Residents' Association, whose current President is Dr. Célio Andrade.

History

The occupation of the region known today as Grande Méier began when Estácio de Sá donated the Sesmaria do Iguaçú to Jesuits priests.
Freed slaves built flimsy dwellings in the Morro dos Pretos Forros, region currently covered by the motorway Grajaú-Jacarépagua, increasing the occupation of the region.