Brasilia Landmarks and Monuments

(Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil)

This capital city comes with countless magical modern monuments and contemporary landmarks, thanks in no small part to the brilliance of legendary Brazilian design, Oscar Niemeyer. Many of Brasilia's most famous landmarks are the result of this wacky architect's genius touch, with a number being created by Niemeyer when he was actually is his senior years - 80s and 90s.

Brasilia is understandably extremely proud to be the only city on the planet created in the 20th century to actually gain UNESCO's prestigious 'Historical and Cultural Heritage of Humanity' award.


The north-westerly side of the Monumental Axis is where the Federal District is located, along with various municipal buildings and similar landmarks, while the south-east is where the Three Powers Square is located, surrounded by dramatic sights, such as the Congresso Nacional (National Congress) building and its eye-catching white concrete dome (where the Senate meet).

Torre de TV (TV Tower / Television Tower)

Address: Eixo Monumental, Brasilia, Planalto Central, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 061 3325 5735
Standing at a height of just under 225 metres / 738 feet, the Brasilia TV Tower is a very distinctive city landmark and clearly visible on the skyline, being located in the centre of the Eixo Monumental (Monumental Axis). Completed in 1967, the TV Tower comes with an observation deck, which stands at 75 metres / 246 feet and offers some of the best cityscape views possible. Each weekend, a handicrafts fair / market takes place at the base of the tower.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 20:00
Admission: free

Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora Aparecida (Metropolitan Cathedral)

Address: Esplanada dos Ministérios, Brasilia, Planalto Central, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 061 3224 4073
Easily the most famous of all the man-made landmarks in the city, the Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora Aparecida dominates the Esplanada dos Ministérios with its quirky contemporary, modernist architecture. This Roman Catholic cathedral was created by one of Brazil's most famous architects, Oscar Niemeyer, and was designed in 1958, being finally completed and dedicated in 1970. Now an iconic symbol of the city, regularly appearing on promotional photographs, the circular Metropolitan Cathedral is a hyperboloid structure, with 16 curved concrete columns reaching upwards to create a crown, which in turn surround the glass roof. The overall structure was designed to resemble hands reaching upwards to heaven. Inside, the stain-glass panels are nothing short of spectacular and flood the interior with natural light, while outside the entrance are four large statues representing the Four Disciples.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 18:00
Admission: free

Palacio do Itamaraty (Palace of the Arches)

Address: Esplanada dos Ministérios, Brasilia, Planalto Central, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 061 3411 6640
Currently housing the Ministério das Relacoes Exteriores (Ministry of External Relations), the Palacio do Itamaraty is a striking building. The main feature of the architecture is the long line of symmetrical arches, which stand above a reflecting pool and surrounding gardens landscaped by Brazilian artist and architect Roberto Burle Marx. Completed and inaugurated in 1970, the aptly named Palace of the Arches took a decade to build, due to technical difficulties being encountered during its construction. Inside, the rooms are decorated in a rather opulent fashion, with various art works and antique furnishings.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 15:00 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 14:00
Admission: free

Palacio da Justica (Palace / Department of Justice)

Address: Via N Um Leste / Via N Dois Leste, Brasilia, Planalto Central, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 061 3218 3223
An unusual building that certainly draws the eye, the Palacio da Justica stands along the Eixo Monumental, on the Avenida da República, between the Congresso Nacional and Esplanada dos Ministérios. Designed in 1957 by Oscar Niemeyer, at first glance the Palace of Justice appears to be nothing more than a modern rectangular grey building. However, as you get closer you will spot the multiple waterfalls cascading from the archways, reaching the large koi pond below.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:00 to 12:00, 14:00 to 18:00
Admission: free

Congresso Nacional (National Congress / Congressional Palace / Parliament)

Address: Via Eixo Monumental, Brasilia, Planalto Central, Brazil, BR
A much-photographed modern landmark with giant 'dishes' that really wouldn't look out of place as part of a space station on the moon, the Congresso Nacional comprises both the Chamber of Deputies of Brazil (Lower House) and the Senate (Upper House). Inaugurated in 1960. this is yet another famous landmark created by the accomplished hand of Oscar Niemeyer, who chose to separate the Lower House (right) and the Upper House (left) with twin towers, which house a series of offices and are connected in the middle by a tunnel. Outside is an expanse of lawn and a large reflecting pool, while inside are some interesting exhibits, including one entitled the 'Tunnel of Time'. Tours with English-speaking guides are available.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:30 to 16:30, Saturday and Sunday - 09:00 to 13:30
Admission: free

Palacio do Planalto (Presidential Palace)

Address: Praca dos Tres Podéres, Via Eixo Monumental / Via Um Leste, Brasilia, Planalto Central, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 061 3411 2317
Another elegant Oscar Niemeyer building, the Palacio do Planalto serves as the official workspace of Brazil's president. Boasting modernist architecture at its most stylish and dating back to 1958, the Presidential Palace is located on the Praca dos Tres Podéres and has four floors, with the curving columns being fronted by a large pool. The whole complex is made up of a further four additional buildings, which stand close by. Recently restored at a cost exceeding US$35 million, the Palacio do Planalto is only open to the public on Sundays, when guided tours allow you to take a look at the president's office. Outside, the regular changing of the guards ceremony is worth a look.
Open hours: Sunday - 09:30 to 14:30
Admission: free

Santuario Dom Bosco

Address: Via W3 Sul, Brasilia, Planalto Central, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 061 3223 6542
A famous church that regularly graces city postcards, the Santuario Dom Bosco is constructed using a number of large concrete columns. These towering columns support almost 7,500 pieces of Murano glass, which have been used to represent a night sky filled with stars. As a result of the extensive use of Murano glass, much of the interior is bathed in blue and purple light.
Open hours: daily - 07:00 to 19:00
Admission: free

Palacio da Alvorada (Palace of Dawn)

Address: Estrada Hotéis de Turismo, Brasilia, Planalto Central, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 061 3411 2317
The official residence of the President of Brazil, the Palacio da Alvorada was designed by Oscar Niemeyer in 1957 and completed the following year. Initially appearing as a giant glass box, the Palace of Dawn stands next to Lake Paranoa and has three floors, with the second floor being made up of suites, apartments and private rooms. The building was restored in 2004 after aging badly and the rooms furnished in their original style. Many spacious rooms make up the palace, including a library and music room, while the heated swimming pool is of Olympic size.
Open hours: not open to the public
Admission: free

Ponte Juscelino Kubitschek (Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge / President JK Bridge)

Address: Brasilia, Planalto Central, Brazil, BR
The Ponte Juscelino Kubitschek goes by several similar names, such as the 'President Bridge' or 'JK Bridge', and was built at the turn of the millennium to span Lake Paranoa. Stretching for some 1,200 metres / 3,937 feet in total and costing more than US$55 million to build, this prominent landmark is made of concrete and steel, being supported by three arches that crisscross from either side and tower more than 60 metres / 197 feet in height. The design of the bridge has been highly praised and received a number of awards in recent years. Night-time is the best time to fully appreciate the structure of Brasilia's most famous bridge, when its curves and straight lines are accentuated by spotlights.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free