Brasília: The Historic City

The story of how a new Capital was born

From a sketch on paper to Brazil's capital

President Juscelino Kubitschek created Brasília, the city created his Brazil

Online Exhibit

It all began with a "Zero" sign

Architect Lucio Costa's first step for Brasilia's project

A timeline of events

Brasília was built in 1,310 days

1934

The new Constitution determines that the capital is to move to a central point in Brazil.

1946

President Eurico Gaspar Dutra begins location studies.

1955

Location studies are concluded under President Vargas.

1956

Newly elected President Juscelino Kubitschek starts taking the first steps to enact the constitution.

1957

More than 20 projects for the construction are evaluated and Lucio Costa's plan is announced the winner.

1961

On April 21, 1961, the city is innaugurated in record time.

A new capital is born

The plans to transfer the capital to a new land started in the 18th century

From 1789 to 1956

Explore the timeline of events that preceeded the construction of Brasília

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"50 years in 5"

The slogan of President Juscelino Kubitschek's campaign broke the ground for the new capital

Online Exhibit

From Coast to Highland

The idea of moving the country's capital from Rio de Janeiro began in the 18th century

Online Exhibit

The Cruls Commission

Learn about the men who paved the way to Brasília

Online Exhibit

If Rome Wasn't Built in a Day

Brasília was built by 'Candangos', thousands of brave men and women who became its first residents

Before Brasília

Learn about the history of the land where Brasília was built

Online Exhibit

The Highlands in the 18th Century

Did you know that the Planalto Central was already inhabited before Brasília was built?

Beyond the pilot plan

Explore the satelite cities that surround the planned structure

Online Exhibit

Memories of Everyday Life Away from the Monumental City

Photographs of community and simplicity

Online Exhibit

The People's Land

Learn how Brasília's demographic is spread around its land

The Workers...

at the construction of Brasília

The Workers...

at the construction of Brasília

The Workers...

at the construction of Brasília

The Workers...

at the construction of Brasília

The Workers...

at the construction of Brasília

The Workers...

at the construction of Brasília

The Workers...

at the construction of Brasília

The Workers...

at the construction of Brasília

The Workers...

at the construction of Brasília

The Workers...

at the construction of Brasília

The Workers...

at the construction of Brasília

The Workers...

at the construction of Brasília

Change for change

Take a look at the currency that circulated the city during its construction

How to Read Coins and Bills

Brasília and poetry are stamped on the Cruzeiro, currency at the time

A Growing Economy

The 'Candangos' were the first to make and spend money in the city

Crossing Lines

The symbolism in the building of the Central Bank of Brazil

Nature tells it all

Explore the pre-historic history of the Brazilian highland

The Eco-history of the Highlands

Who were the first men to inhabit the region?

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