Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora Aparecida) is made in the style of modernism and is a masterpiece of modern architecture of the new capital. The creator of the magnificent structure is the world-famous Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, who received the Pritzker Prize for this project.

The main part of the cathedral is located underground, only the dome is visible on the surface, which is decorated with 16 hyperboloid columns resembling arms raised to the sky. Intercolumn space is closed with stained glass. The area of the temple is 3848 square meters, and the height is 40 meters. The building is surrounded by water, and into the light-drenched main hall leads a long dark corridor, provided for better visual effect. Inside are statues of angels and evangelists.

The construction of the Catholic Cathedral was started in 1958, and it was consecrated only in 1970. Such a long pause is explained by errors in the acoustic and ventilation systems of the temple, which have not been eliminated to this day.