The curved columns
Like raised hands.
Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz) — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Agência Brasília from Brasília, Brasil — CC BY 2.0 · Ugkoeln at de.wikipedia — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Carlosedu284 — CC0
The Cathedral of Brasília is one of Oscar Niemeyer's boldest buildings, designed with the structural engineer Joaquim Cardozo and dedicated on 31 May 1970. It is a hyperboloid of 16 curved concrete columns weighing 90 tonnes each, meeting at the top like raised hands, with glass between them. A reflecting pool 12 metres wide surrounds the building and helps to cool it; visitors enter through a low passage beneath it, while outside stand a bell tower 20 metres high and bronze statues at the entrance. Inside it holds 4,000 people and is washed with the colours of blue, green and white glass. It is a working place of worship; entry is free outside Mass times, in modest dress and quietly. The best view of its form is from the plaza in front on the Monumental Axis.
Like raised hands.
Around the building.
20 metres high.
Esplanada dos Ministérios, Monumental Axis
Itamaraty PalaceThe Itamaraty Palace is the headquarters of Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs12 minutes walk4.8
National Congress of BrazilThe National Congress is the best-known building of Brasília, the capital planne15 minutes walk4.2
Praça dos Três Poderes (Three Powers Plaza)The Three Powers Plaza is the political heart of Brasília, laid out by Lúcio Cos19 minutes walk4.7Oscar Niemeyer with the engineer Joaquim Cardozo; it was dedicated in 1970, its form 16 curved concrete columns meeting at the top.