Peridizes, São Paulo

Catholic UniversityIn Perdizes is the campus of the Pontifícia Universidade Católica of São Paulo, with the Teatro da Universidade Católica. Round the University are numerous bookshops, cafés and restaurants catering mainly for young people. The district is traversed by a number of cross streets off Avenidas Sumaré and Pacaembu and by Rua Cardoso de Almeida, which runs from Largo Padre Péricles, in the Agua Branca district, to Avenida Dr Arnaldo.

Parque Fernando CostaFrom Large Padre Péricles Avenida Francisco Matarazzo runs between the Agua Branca and Barra Funda districts and then heads for Pompéia. On this avenue is the entrance to the Fernando Costa Park (or Parque da Agua Branca). Laid out in 1928, the park has an area of 110,000sq.m/131,500sq.yds, with beautiful expanses of grass and woodland, lakes, a children's play area, a small zoo and the Museum of the Geological Institute. Markets and livestock shows are also held in the park.

Latin AmericaMemorialOn the other side of Avenida Francisco Matarazzo, near the terminus of the Metro line to Barra Funda, is the Memorial da América Latina, a monumental complex covering an area of 80,000sq.m/96,000sq.yds and consisting of seven buildings set round two squares linked by a pedestrian bridge. This huge architectural project designed by Oscar Niemeyer is notable for its great areas of open space and its curving slabs of concrete. Some of the roof structures are borne on supporting beams up to 90m/295ft long.On the square by the Metro station are the reception building for the whole complex, a restaurant, a library and the Salão de Atos (Athos Hall). In the Athos Hall, in which important decisions of the state government are taken, are a large (18m/60ft by 3m/10ft) wall painting of Tiradentes by Portinari and 15m/50ft high bas-relief panels by Carybé and Poty depicting the peoples and the history of Latin America. The library has 50,000 volumes as well as videos, films and records.In the square are a piece of sculpture by Franz Weissmann and a monumental hand (7m/23ft high) designed by Oscar Niemeyer, with a map of the American continent carved on the palm.

The Auditório has a central stage and seating for an audience of 1800. The tapestries, almost 80m/260ft long, are by Tomie Ohtake.

The Playcenter, on the banks of the Rio Tietà (at the Ponte do Limaão) near the Barra Funda Metro station, is the city's largest amusement park.

In Rua Clélia, a continuation of Avenida Francisco Matarazzo, is the SESC Fábrica da Pompéia, a leisure and cultural center designed by Lina Bo Bardi on an old factory site. It contains a theatre, a library, a games room, rooms for exhibitions, reading, video shows, etc., sports facilities, play areas and a restaurant (with music).

In Rua Guaicurus (the continuation of Avenida Francisco Matarazzo), in the Lapa district, is the Tendal da Lapa, a cultural center opened in 1991. From the Mirante do Sumaré (Rua Cerro Corá), on the Alto da Lapa, there are views of the Cidade Universitária and much of the Zona Sul.

On the west side of the Lapa district the Rio Pinheiros and Rio Tietà join. Just before the confluence, on the right bank of the Pinheiros, is Ceagesp, São Paulo's wholesale market. Above the Rio Tietà, in the Vila Jaguará district, is the São Domingos Park. A short distance away is the Vila dos Remédios Park, with a lake and barbecue areas.

In Pirituba, a district in the extreme west of São Paulo, is the city's highest point, the Pico do Jaraguá (1135m/3724ft). At the foot of the hill is Jaraguá Park (area 45sq.km/17sq.mi), with an expanse of forest, sports facilities, children's playgrounds and various kiosks. It is reached on the Estrada Turística do Jaraguá, which branches off the Via Anhanguera at km18/mi12.

From Jaraguá Park it is 7km/4.3mi to Anhanguera Park (area 9.5sq.km/3.7sq.mi), with expanses of forest and children's play areas.