Brasilia Attractions

Cathedral

The Cathedral, designed by Niemeyer, lies on the central axis, near the intersection with the Eixo Rodoviário and diagonally opposite the Law Courts. This concrete-framed structure, hyperboloid in form and extraordinarily light in effect, seems with its glass roof to be reaching up, open, to heaven.

Palácio dos Arcos

The Palácio dos Arcos (also known as the Palácio Itamaraty), which houses the Foreign Ministery, is one of Oscar Niemeyer's greatest achievements. It is set in beautiful gardens, with a pond, designed by the landscape architect Burle Marx.

Chapada dos Veadeiros

200km/125mi north of Brasília, in the state of Goiás, is the Chapada dos Veadeiros (area 60,000 hectares/150,000 acres), which is reached on GO 118, via Alto Paraíso de Goiás and Teresinha de Goiás. This plateau is part of the great watershed between the rivers Amazon, Paraná and São Francisco. A permit from IBAMA is sometimes required for entry to the park.

Luziánia

60km/37mi south of Brasília, in Goiás state, is the historic little town of Luziánia (pop. 16,000), which has preserved a number of colonial-age buildings and handsome 18th century churches, notably the church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos (Our Lady of the Rosary of the Blacks). According to some authorities its side altars have been removed to the church of Santa Lusia, also in Luziánia.

The Brasília International Airport is located approximately 12 km (7 1/2 miles) from the city center. It was named after Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira, the 21st President of Brazil.

Brasília University

On the east side of the Eixo Rodoviário Norte (Northern Traffic Axis), on the shores of Lake Paranoá (Lago do Paranoá), is the University of Brasília.

Catetinho

40km/25mi south of the city on BR 040 (the Belo Horizonte road) is Catetinho, the first stage in the creation of Brasília, where President Kubitschek lived during the construction of the capital.

Congress Center

The Congress Center (Centro de Convenáìes) has two main halls, a theatre and a restaurant.

Esplanada dos Ministérios

To the west of the Praça dos Tràs Poderes is the Esplanada dos Ministérios, along both sides of which are the various federal ministries.

Itiquira Falls

118km/73mi from Brasilia, in the state of Goiás, is the town of Formosa. One of its sights is the Itiquira Falls, which have a drop of 168m/550ft. 5km/3mi outside the town is Lake Feia, which offers good bathing and fishing.

Memorial to President Kubitschek

On the Praça do Cruzeiro (Eixo Monumental) is the Memorial to President Juscelino Kubitschek (1902-76), which contains a museum commemorating the initiator of Brasília.

Médici Sports Center

In the northern recreation district, opposite the Congress Center on the Eixo Monumental, is the President Médici Sports Center (Centro Esportivo), with the Autódromo Nelson Piquet (a Formula I racing circuit), a cycle track, a swimming pool, a gymnasium, a track for field athletics, a children's playground, sports grounds, tennis courts and a stadium.

National Theatre

The Teatro Nacional stands almost exactly at the intersection of the two axes, near the old bus station.

Palácio do Buriti

On the Eixo Monumental, to the west of the Sports Center, is the Palácio do Buriti, seat of the Federal District authorities.

Piripipau Falls

40km/25mi from Brasília on the Planaltina road are the Piripipau Falls.

Planaltina

40km/25mi north-east of Brasília, within the Federal District, is the town of Planaltina. Its Museum of History and Art, housed in an early 20th century building, contains documents, photographs and objects illustrating the development of the town and of Brasília.

Aguas Emendadas

Within the territory of Planaltina is the State Nature Reserve of Aguas Emendadas (area 9768 hectares/24,127 acres), which was established in 1968.

Quilombo Calunga

Some 300km/185mi north-east of Brasília, on the border between Goiás and the recently established state of Tocantins, is the Quilombo Calunga, founded 250 years ago by runaway slaves from São Paulo, which has survived the ravages of time. The present population, an estimated 4000, live in villages of mud huts of a type still found in Africa. The area is at present being studied by anthropologists from the University of Goiás. The Calunga Indians live in the Serra da Contenda, near the town of Monte Alegre de Goiás.

Zoological and Botanical Garden

On Avenida Nações Unidas, 9km/5.6mi south-west of the city center, is the Zoological and Botanical Garden, with a lake and a theatre.