Every year thousands of tourists visit Rio de Janeiro to enjoy the sights in one of the world’s most entertaining cities. There’s so much to do, from Sugar Loaf Mountain, to Copacabana Beach, it’s hard to know where to begin. With a wealth of attractions, the fact that Rio contains some spectacular buildings, designed by world-renowned architects, is often overlooked.
Although Rio de Janeiro has much important and interesting architecture, two unique buildings stand out. Even for tourists not usually interested in architecture the Metropolitan Cathedral and Niterói Contemporary Art Museum should be included on any itinerary when visiting the city.
Niterói Contemporary Art Museum
Designed by Brazils’ most famous architect, Oscar Niemeyer, the Niterói Contemporary Art Museum was completed in 1996. Due to its unique shape this art gallery instantly became one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.
The stereo-typically white, modernist building is best described as a UFO (or the “Starship Enterprise”) perched on the edge of a cliff. The saucer-shaped museum is designed to take maximum advantage of its spectacular location. A viewing gallery runs 360° around the interior, and provides some of the best views of Sugar Loaf Mountain and downtown Rio in the city.
The one negative aspect of a visit the Contemporary Art Museum is that the quality of the building often outshines the exhibits inside. Still, the overall experience is unlikely to disappoint.
Getting to the Niterói Contemporary Art Museum
As the name suggests the museum is located in Niterói, which is located on the other side of the bay from downtown Rio de Janeiro. Although Niterói is accessible by crossing the President Costa E. Silva Bridge, taking the ferry is a much more pleasant way to get to the Museum. The museum is a ten-minute walk from the center of town on Mirante da Boa Viagem. If you choose to enter the gallery there is a $R4 entrance fee.
Metropolitan Cathedral- St. Sebastian
Named after Saint Sebastian, the patron saint of Rio de Janeiro, the current cathedral was inaugurated in 1976 and has divided public opinion ever since. Edgar Oliveira da Fonseca’s modern design is loosely based upon a Mayan pyramid but unlike the Yucatan temples, this building is a cone, not a square based pyramid.
Inside the sanctuary up to 20,000 people can celebrate mass in a warm atmosphere created by the light from four giant stained glass windows. In a country used to beautifully adorned churches the harsh concrete exterior is not to everyone’s taste, however the interior amazes almost all visitors.
Getting to the Metropolitan Cathedral
The cathedral is located at Av. República de Chile 245, next to the Petrobras building itself an interesting piece of architecture, in the center of downtown Rio de Janeiro. The nearest Metro stops are Cinelandia and Carioca, from either of these stations St Sebastian is only a couple of minutes walk. There is no admission, and therefore no excuse, not to visit the Cathedral.
The Best Starting Point on an Architectural Tour
If planning to visit Rio, make sure to allow time to enjoy its architectural treasures. The Niterói Contemporary Art Museum and Metropolitan Cathedral are both great places to begin an architectural exploration of the city.
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