Brazilian architecture: A snapshot of old and new
From the distinctive colonial buildings of Salvador to the idealism-inspired designs of Oscar Niemeyer’s Brasilia, Brazil has a variety to offer for the architecture lover.
Brasilia was built in 1960 based on Niemeyer’s designs and is the only city in the world constructed in the 20th century to be awarded world heritage site status by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The concrete buildings form the country’s political hub which was specifically created to be Brazil’s new capital city. When seen from above it resembles an aeroplane, although Niemeyer’s original concept was for the development to take the shape of a cross, symbolising possession.
Laura Rendell-Dunn, marketing manager at Journey Latin America, says that Brasilia cuts a striking feature on the landscape.
“I can’t think of any Latin country that has built a major city in the middle of the jungle,” she says.
Ms Rendell-Dunn adds that its distinctive 1960s designs are the main attraction for many visitors.
“Tourists who do decide to travel to Brasilia, one of the main reasons is to see the architecture of the city because it’s very typical of that period and also it’s quite unusual,” she insists.
Visitors are advised to make sure they see the Catedral Metropolitana de Brasilia, one of Niemeyer’s iconic designs featuring sleek white curvature and stunning stained-glassed windows which cast beautiful light and colours onto the inner aisles that stand below street level.
Brasilia is not the only place to find the contemporary structures, however.
“For anyone who’s wanting to see modern architecture, Sao Paulo is the leading example,” says Ms Rendell-Dunn.
She recommends the Fasano hotel in the city, an ultra-modern example of Brazil real estate which has a cubist feel to it, designed by Isay Weinfeld and Marcio Kogan, who set out to invoke 1930s and 1940s styles in this elegant building.
See it lit up in an evening to appreciate it in all its glory.
Meanwhile, travellers with a taste for the historic should head to the north-east of the country to take in Brazil’s wonderful colonial architecture, characterised by picturesque streets, bustling squares and colourful buildings often decorated with fine stucco-work.
Daniel Ohiorenoya spent six months travelling around the country and says the scenes in the state of Bahia are unrivalled.
“Salvador is where you want to go for classic architecture. It’s very colonial – people go there specifically to see the architecture. It really is like stepping back 200 years in time, it’s beautiful. There’s nothing like it anywhere else in Brazil,” he insists.
“If you go to somewhere like Sao Paulo, which is more modern, the streets are very narrow, you can hardly get a car through.”
“In Salvador, all the classic architecture is high up on hills where the streets are wide, with the shanty towns below. I’ve never seen anything else like it,” he adds.
The city is also a UNESCO world heritage site, having preserved a variety of outstanding Renaissance buildings and due to its unique blending of European, African and Amerindian cultures.
Laura Rendell-Dunn also recommends another world heritage site, Ouro Preto in Minas Gerais, which is famous for its outstanding Baroque architecture, particularly its many beautiful churches.
“A particularly stunning example would be Francis of Assisi,” she says.
The town, founded at the end of the 17th century, was the focal point of the gold rush in the 18th century.
“Brazil’s combination of stunning man-made designs and breathtaking natural scenery is what makes it so special,” concludes Mr Ohiorenoya.
