Brasília

Brasília is a stunning futuristic dream. Although the construction of Brazil’s capital has started more than half a century ago, Brasília still manages to impress the visitor with its modernist architecture. The building of Brasília started in 1956 and four years later, still within the term of President Juscelino Kubitschek, the new capital was inaugurated. The city attracts visitors with a taste for modern architecture from all over the world. This masterpiece of modernist architecture is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1987.

Brasília is a planned city. Seen from above, the shape of Brasília reminds of a bird or a plane. The Eixo Monumental (‘Monumental Axis’) runs from the governmental centre in the east to the train and bus station Rodoferroviaria in the west, dividing the city in a northern part and in a southern part. The northern part is called Asa Norte (Northern Wing) and the southern part is called Asa Sul (Southern Wing). Brasília is subdivided in a number of separated zones that are dedicated to specific functions. For example, in the Setor Hoteleiro you’ll find hotels and in the Setor Comercial you can go shopping.

Brasília is situated in the Distrito Federal (Federal District) in the middle of the Cerrado landscape of the interior of Brazil. Officially, the Distrito Federal is not a state but an area that is independent from the other Brazilian states. It is nearly almost surrounded by the state of Goiás and it has a short border with the state of Minas Gerais. In the Distrito Federal are number of suburbs that are known as the cidades-satélites.

History of Brasília

Historically, the largest part of the Brazilian population lived in the coastal regions. The idea of the construction of a capital in the interior of Brazil has been on the political agenda since the Brazilian independence in 1822. In the period following Brazil’s independence, the risk of maritime raids was one of the motives for constructing an inland capital. Another reason to construct a capital in the middle of the country was to prevent the country from falling apart like was happening with the former Spanish Americas around that time. When time passed, the opening up of the interior of Brazil became a more and more important reason to build a new capital in the middle of the nation.

Eventually, Juscelino Kubitschek became the president who built the new capital. During his election, he promised to make 50 years of progress in 5 years. Kubitschek made the architect Oscar Niemeyer responsible for the building of Brasília. Lucio Costa designed the urban planning.

The new capital was inaugurated on April 21st, 1960. The construction of Brasília wasn’t finished yet but Kubitschek insisted on moving the capital during his governmental term.

In 1987, Brasília was the only twentieth century city to be listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Getting there

Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport is located at a distance of 11 km (7 miles) of Brasília. Brasília is a hub for domestic flights: even if you don’t want to visit Brasília, the chances are high that you’ll stop there. The taxi is the most comfortable way to get to the city.

As Brasília is situated in the middle of Brazil, it can be reached by busses from most other important Brazilian cities. But remember that distances are large: travelling to São Paulo by bus takes about 15 hours, taking the bus to Rio takes 18 hours and Belo Horizonte is located at a distance of 10 hours.

Getting around

Brasília is designed for cars. Don’t go walking. If you don’t have a care, taking a bus or a taxi is a good alternative. Since 2001, the subway started operating but it does not yet arrive at the main tourist spots of Brasília.

The most important monuments are located around the government complex called Esplanada dos Ministérios which is situated at the eastern part of the Eixo Monumental. The central bus and subway station Rodoviária do Plano Piloto / Estação do Metro Central is a great starting point for a visit. From here, it is possible to walk to the most important monuments which is an exemption in this city that was designed for cars.

Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora Aparecida

This futuristic cathedral was designed by Oscar Niemeyer. It has a transparent roof in the shape of an open crown of thorns. The shape of the roof, the coloured glass and the reflection of the water around the cathedral result in a special kind of light in the cathedral. The Catedral Metropolitana covers a circular area with a diameter of 70 metres. In front of the church are four bronze statues with an altitude of 3 metres. These represent the four evangelists. In the church are three heavy and enormous statues of angles, hanging on steel cables.

Venue: Eixo Monumental
Time: Mondays and Saturdays, 8.00 – 17.00 hours; other days 8.00 – 18.00 hours, not accessible during masses.

Praça dos Três Poderes

The Praça dos Três Poderes (the Plaza of the Tree Powers) is a plaza where the three state powers meet. On the west side is the National Congress representing the legislative power. On the north side is the office of the President of Brazil, the Palácio do Planalto , representing the executive power. The Judiciary is represented by the Supremo Tribunal Federal (the Federal High Court) at the south side of the plaza. These three buildings were designed by Oscar Niemeyer.

Palácio Itamarati

The Palácio Itamarati is the building of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Palácio Itamarati in Rio de Janeiro was once the palace of the Baron of Itamarati. When this building was used by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the word “Itamarati” was more and more used to refer to this Ministry. When the Brazilian capital moved from Rio de Janeiro to Brasília, the name Itamarati was moved as well and a new Palácio Itamarati was built.

The Palácio Itamarati is one of the most beautiful buildings of the Esplanada dos Ministérios in Brasília. Some parts of the building are open for visitors. It is important to respect the dress code (long trousers, shirt and shoes for men, smart-casual for women).

Venue: Esplanada dos Ministérios
Time: weekdays, 14.00 hours -16.30 hours; weekend 10.00 – 15.30 hours

Torre de Televisão

The Torre de Televisão (Television Tower) is a striking landmark on the Eixo Monumental. It is near the central bus and subway station. It offers a nice view over Brasília at an altitude of 218 metres. There is a market around the tower during the weekends.

Venue: Eixo Monumental
Time: Tuesdays to Sundays, 9.00 – 21.00 hours

Palácio da Alvorada

This is another creation by the architect Oscar Niemeyer. It is considered to be one of his masterpieces. As it is the official residence of the Brazilian president, it is not accessible for the public but it can be seen from a distance. It is located at some distance from the Praça dos Tres Poderes. If you take a taxi, let it wait for you as it is hard to find another taxi here.