IMAGE: ALAMY
Sight to see
CATHEDRAL OF BRASILIA, BRAZIL
This extraordinary modern concrete structure is a must- see on a visit to the Brazilian capital, says Sian Hopkins
architect Oscar Niemeyer and engineer Joaquim Cardozo. It was completed in 1970. The active Roman Catholic Cathedral was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, under her title as Our Lady Aparecida, Queen and Patroness of Brazil. A towering 130 feet tall, the concrete
W
structure of Catedral Metropolitana is very different to traditional Catholic cathedrals. The modern building can hold 4,000 people and has nearly 1 million visitors every year, making it the most visited place in Brasilia. At first glance, the curved concrete columns
74 • postcards
ork on the Cathedral of Brasilia, also known as Catedral Metropolitana, began in 1958, by award-winning
bear a resemblance to arches of a crown, alluding to the crown of thorns Jesus Christ wore on the day of his crucifixion. The cathedral has several standout features including the Main Temple, the Water Mirror, Cross, Belfry, Baptistry Dome, and the Statues of the Evangelists. On stepping through the dark tunnel
entrance of the cathedral, eyes are drawn instinctively to the bright hues of blue of the beautiful stained-glass ceiling window. Don’t miss the three angels hanging above the congregation in the nave. Outside, four striking bronze sculptures depict the four evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
Did you know? There’s a 39-ft wide, 16-in deep reflecting pool around the cathedral roof which keeps it cool. Visitors pass under it when entering the building.
------------ The easiest way to visit the
ESSENTIALS -
cathedral is by bus along the 113 line. For a faster ride, take a taxi: it’s around a 13-minute journey from Brasilia Airport to the Cathedral of Brasilia.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
