The Federal Senate of Brazil
"Architecture is not simply a matter of engineering, but a manifestation of the spirit, imagination and poetry"
O Senado Federal (Fevereiro) by Ricardo Movits and Ricardo MovitsFederal Senate, Brazil
The National Congress Palace, one of Brazil's most famous postcards, is located on the monumental axis, the avenue that houses the Esplanade of Ministries and runs through the heart of Brasilia, from north to south.
O Senado Federal (Fevereiro) by Ricardo Movits and Ricardo MovitsFederal Senate, Brazil
Designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer, the Palace occupies one of the three vertices of the Three Powers Square, which also houses the headquarters of the Executive and Judicial branches. The main building, made up of two 28-storey towers, houses the Chamber of Deputies and the Federal Senate.
The smaller dome, facing downwards, houses the Senate plenary. The institution is made up of 81 senators, representing the states of the Federation. In the larger dome, facing upwards, is the plenary of the Chamber of Deputies, the house of the people, made up of 513 deputies
Time Tunnel
On voting days, it is estimated that around 5,000 people pass through the Tunnel of Time, the name given to the corridor that gives access to the Senate's committee rooms and plenary. Part of Brazil's political history is narrated through the permanent panels affixed to the walls of the Tunnel.
O Senado Federal by Ricardo Movits and Ricardo MovitsFederal Senate, Brazil
O Senado Federal (Fevereiro) by Ricardo Movits and Ricardo MovitsFederal Senate, Brazil
Blue Hall and Praça das Bandeiras
The Blue Room is the access route to three fundamental spaces for the functioning of the House: the Plenary, the office of the President of the Senate and the General Secretariat of the Bureau, which is responsible for conducting the legislative work.
In the Flag Square, also located in the Blue Hall, the Brazilian flag and the flags of the 27 states are on display. The banners are arranged alternately, according to the date of each state's constitution, starting from the Brazilian Flag, located in the center.
Athos Bulcão faz parte do Senado Federal (Março) by Rodrigo Viana and Rodrigo VianaFederal Senate, Brazil
The Plenary
The Senate Plenary is the main space within the structure of the House. It is where speeches, debates and votes take place. The electronic panels located on the sides of each of the 81 senators' seats record the senators' attendance and votes.
O Senado Federal (Fevereiro) by Ricardo Movits and Ricardo MovitsFederal Senate, Brazil
Known as "Wards", the corridors of the Senate are named after senators who have distinguished themselves in the history of Parliament. These spaces also house the standing committees, where legislative proposals receive opinions before being voted on in plenary.
O Senado Federal (Fevereiro) by Ricardo Movits and Ricardo MovitsFederal Senate, Brazil
Athos Bulcão faz parte do Senado Federal (1978) by Athos Bulcão and Athos BulcãoFederal Senate, Brazil
Black Hall
The main entrance to the National Congress, the Black Room is used for official ceremonies. The color of the floor gave its name to the hall, which, in addition to the panel by Athos Bulcão, also has a tapestry by Burle Marx, installed on the wall that gives access to the Senate Museum.
Marianne Peretti pelo Senado Federal (1978) by Marianne Peretti and Marianne PerettiFederal Senate, Brazil
White Hall (Cloakroom)
The White Hall, the main working entrance to the Senate, is downstairs from the Black Hall. It was given its name because of its white floor. The room is better known as the "Hat Room", because in the past it was the place where hats, coats and walking sticks were kept.
O Senado Federal (Fevereiro) by Ricardo Movits and Ricardo MovitsFederal Senate, Brazil
The ramp of the National Congress gives access to the main entrance of the Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, through the Black Hall, shared by the two houses. It is also through this ramp that the presidents and vice-presidents of the Republic pass on the day of their inauguration.
O Senado Federal (Fevereiro) by Ricardo Movits and Ricardo MovitsFederal Senate, Brazil
In 2007, coinciding with Oscar Niemeyer's 100th birthday, the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN) decided to list the National Congress building as a listed building.
