The Cathedral of Brasilia was the first monument built in the city and its cornerstone was set in September 1958. The structure was completed by 1960, a time when only the circular area was visible, measuring 70 meters of diameter and working as foundation for 16 concrete columns weighing 90 tons.
Project
The Cathedral was inaugurated in May 1970. Consecrated architect Oscar Niemeyer designed the church, as well as the Alvorada Palace, the National Congress, the Planalto Palace and the Federal Supreme Court buildings, among others.
Shape
The church has a peculiar beauty. Held by 16 arched pillars that form a thorn crown, the central nave is covered by an immense stained glass panel projected by Marianne Peretti, made out of glass fiber pieces in blue, green, white and brown.
Interior
Inside the church, three huge angel sculptures by Alfredo Ceschiatti float from the ceiling suspended by steel cables. The baptistery is covered in tiles painted by Athos Bulcão. The Via Sacra is a piece of work by Di Cavalcanti and the image of Our Lady Aparecida is a replica of the original, this one located in Aparecida, in the state of Sao Paulo.
There are four bronze statues in front of the church, each one three meters high: The Evangelists, by Alfredo Ceschiatti and Dante Croce. Beside it is the Steeple, with a set of bells donated by the Spanish.
People wearing shorts or short clothes cannot go inside the Cathedral.
Free admission.
Address
Esplanada dos Ministérios, s/n
The most comfortable way of visiting the tourist attractions is by taxi. Calculate the fare and check the list of companies providing the service.
One of the best ways of moving around in Brasilia is by bike. It is possible to rent one in many stations around town with the app Bike Brasilia, available in Portuguese, English and Spanish for iPhone, Android, and Windows Phone.
The Cathedral is located on the main avenue of the Esplanade of the Ministries, or Esplanada dos Ministerios in Portuguese. Check out the bus lines and schedules on the local transport department website (DFTrans, available only in Portuguese), or board one of the tourist double-decker buses.