Brasília
BrasíLia, UNESCO World Heritage Site Inscribed 1987; The Planned Capital Of Brazil, Inaugurated 1960, Designed By LúCio Costa With Buildings By Oscar Niemeyer · Brasília, Distrito Federal
Brasília is the capital Brazil built from nothing in the middle of the country in under four years, inaugurated in 1960, and it is the most complete modernist city in the world. The urban planner Lúcio Costa laid it out in the shape of an aeroplane, or a bird, and the architect Oscar Niemeyer designed its great buildings in white concrete curves. UNESCO listed the whole plan in 1987. The Monumental Axis runs down the body past the ministries to the Square of the Three Powers, where the twin towers and bowls of the National Congress stand; the Cathedral, a crown of sixteen curved columns with stained glass between them, is the building most people remember. The Palácio da Alvorada, the TV Tower's viewing deck and the JK Memorial complete the classic circuit. It is a city designed for cars, with huge distances and few street corners, and many visitors find it cold in both senses. Architecture lovers come from all over the world for it; others do it in a day on the way to the Chapada dos Veadeiros.
Eixo Monumental, Plano Piloto, Brasília, DF, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
A city, always open, but its landmarks are working government buildings and keep their own schedules. The Cathedral opens daily to visitors outside Masses, and may be closed to sightseers during services and weddings. The National Congress and the Itamaraty Palace run free guided visits on set days and at set times, sometimes requiring registration and a passport or identity document at the door - confirm the current schedule, because it changes and visits are suspended during official events. The TV Tower deck and its weekend craft fair keep their own hours. The Palácio da Alvorada is seen from outside its gates. Government buildings close on public holidays and during security operations or protests. Weekends are quiet and good for driving and photos, but some tours run only on weekdays. Museums along the axis usually close one day a week.