The Cathedral Of Brasilia: A Unique Design
The Cathedral of Brasilia is the great architectural jewel of the capital of Brazil. In principle, the cathedrals of large cities are almost always treasures of their heritage. But it is also true that they are usually very old constructions. However, this is not the case in the Brasilia temple.
This cathedral is a construction from the middle of the 20th century. It is also the work of one of the most distinguished architects of the last decades, we are talking about Oscar Niemeyer.
The construction of Brasilia
In the middle of the 20th century, the rulers of Brazil realized that there was a tremendous difference in development between the coastal areas and the interior of the territory. On the coast are the best known and most famous cities in the country, such as Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro. Meanwhile, the interior was very unpopulated.
So, to partially alleviate this situation, it was decided to build a new capital. That was to be Brasilia, whose design fell to two of the country’s most prominent architects and urban planners: Lucio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer.
The first did, above all, urban planning. Meanwhile, Niemeyer designed the main buildings, including the impressive cathedral. It is one of his masterpieces, and that during his long life (1907–2012) he performed many wonders and not only in his country. As an example, the cultural center that bears his name in the city of Avilés.
The cathedral of Brasilia, a revolutionary temple
In a city as planned as the modern capital, without a doubt, buildings as dynamic and attractive as the Cathedral of Brasilia serve to greatly enliven the urban landscape. Its appearance from the outset is groundbreaking. And at first glance it is hardly identifiable with a cathedral.
And besides, it had no space problems either. You didn’t have to stick to a plot surrounded by other buildings. He could build the cathedral as a large sculpture visible in all its contour and without urban restrictions.
This possibility is a dream for an architect. Something that, without a doubt, is seen in the final result, which somehow conveys that its creator has greatly enjoyed his work.
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Aparecida
That is the dedication of the Cathedral of Brasilia. We are talking about a construction whose works lasted for a dozen years, from 1958 to 1970.
A temple in which one of Niemeyer’s favorite materials was used: reinforced concrete. A material with a very rough and industrial appearance, but from which he was able to extract all its plastic qualities.
In addition, here he combined it with the use of fiberglass, which is a kind of modernization for the gigantic stained glass windows of the Brazilian church. Something that is both a nod to the great Gothic cathedrals of Europe, as well as a version of the twentieth century.
The architecture of the Cathedral of Brasilia
The entire cathedral is based on a large central plan that is more than 60 meters in diameter. It emerges as a huge open space, diaphanous, without us being able to recognize a main facade from the outside. On the contrary, its structure some have wanted to compare it with two monumental hands in an attitude of prayer towards heaven.
In reality, while in classical temples there is always a striking façade, here the access is through a dark tunnel. It is not by chance, since it presents us with a journey from darkness to light that reigns in its wide internal space. This light is what is intended to give beauty to the cathedral, and not the sculptures and paintings that are usually found in historical temples.
Here, the architect decided to take those sculptures outside and to an enormous size to represent the four evangelists. And also outside there is a kind of pool that becomes a mirror of architecture.
In short, it is a great work and very representative of the art of Oscar Niemeyer and of the most recent past of Brazil. For this reason, at present, the Cathedral of Brasilia has the distinction of being a Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
