Visiting the Metropolitan Cathedral of Brasília
Almost as soon as President Kubitschek decided to build a new capital for Brazil, he tasked the renowned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer with designing a place of worship. Construction of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Brasília took place between 1959 and 1970, making it the first monument built in Brasilia. The structure is decidedly modern, striking visitors with its minimalist style and sweeping curves that evoke hands reaching toward the sky, a symbol of Christian prayer.
A concrete and glass cathedral for Brasilia
Designed by Oscar Niemeyer and engineered by Joaquim Cardozo, a specialist in concrete structures, the hyperboloid monument consists of 16 concrete arches that meet in the center. The roof is made of glass, painted in various shades of blue. Standing nearly 40 meters tall, the building spans 70 meters in diameter. A reflective pool surrounds the exterior, adding to the visual impact. The cathedral can hold up to 4,000 people. At the entrance, four 3-meter-tall bronze statues created by sculptor Alfredo Ceschiatti represent the four Evangelists.
A dreamlike atmosphere
The interior is just as striking as the exterior, blending soothing white and blue tones with natural light. The floor is made of marble, and suspended from the ceiling are angel statues by Alfredo Ceschiatti, arranged to look as if they are in flight. Acrylic paintings decorate the columns, depicting Mary at various stages of her life.
Oscar Niemeyer received the Pritzker Prize for architecture in 1988 for his body of work.
The exterior of this cathedral is already unique... but wait until you go inside. It looks like a huge circus tent covered in stained glass in different shades of blue.
Original, just like quite a few other buildings in Brasilia!