4 New Ways to Explore Brasília

The out-of-this-world history of the space-age city

By Google Arts & Culture

Edifícios, Cruzeiro Novo by Bento VianaInstituto dos Arquitetos do Brasil - Departamento Distrito Federal

In the highlands of Brazil sits an architectural and cultural gem: the capital city of Brasília.

Museu (2017-04-23) by Joana FrançaInstituto dos Arquitetos do Brasil - Departamento Distrito Federal

Brasília was designed and developed in the 1950s by architects and urban planners Lúcio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer in a plan to move the capital from Rio de Janeiro to a more central location in the country.

Explore Brasilia now brings this amazing city to you.

Jardim Burle Marx, Eixo monumental by Bento VianaInstituto dos Arquitetos do Brasil - Departamento Distrito Federal

1. See the architecture like never before

The city was designed to look like a butterfly or aeroplane from above. Get new perspectives on the city's stunning designs with Instituto dos Arquitetos do Brasil's new stories here and here.

Catedral by Bento VianaInstituto dos Arquitetos do Brasil - Departamento Distrito Federal

2. Enter new dimensions

Many of the buildings were designed by iconic architect, Oscar Niemeyer, and you can learn about his pioneering life and work.

You can even discover the buildings for yourself....

Tap to explore

...by exploring in Street View (click and drag to move around!).

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Cathedral of Brasilia

...or playing with a 3D model of the Niemeyer-designed Cathedral of Brasilia.

Project the iconic building into your own living room in augmented reality.

Azulejos em parede do terréo em bloco residencial da 308 Sul (2021) by Lainha LoiolaInstituto dos Arquitetos do Brasil - Departamento Distrito Federal

3. Explore the history

Did you know that the city was apparently prophesized by Saint John Bosco of Italy in the 19th century? He's now the patron saint of the city. Learn more about Brasilia's fascinating past in the History chapter.

Mulher da Aldeia Kawatum (2018) by Cleber Oliveira de AraújoMemorial dos Povos Indígenas

4. The art and culture comes to life

Brasilia is home to a bustling cultural scene, from battling rap MCs to indigenous artisans. Explore the Culture chapter to learn more.

Erwin Wurm: The Body As The House (2003) by Erwin WurmCentro Cultural Banco do Brasil - Brasília

The new art project brings together Brasilia's art collections, from the Museu de Arte de Brasília, Museu Nacional da República, and more, all in one place.

Tesourinhas by Bento VianaInstituto dos Arquitetos do Brasil - Departamento Distrito Federal

Back to Explore Brasilia.

Credits: All media

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil - Brasília

Instituto dos Arquitetos do Brasil - Departamento Distrito Federal

Memorial dos Povos Indígenas

Stories from these collections

Online Exhibit