A neo-Renaissance opera house in the middle of the rainforest, in Manaus, and a neo-Gothic cathedral in the heart of São Paulo are a perfect example of the eclectic essence and heterogeneity of Brazil.
Sao Paulo Cathedral
São Paulo Cathedral
The São Paulo Metropolitan Cathedral is one of the largest neo-Gothic cathedrals in the world, and the second largest temple in São Paulo, which can welcome around 8,000 people.
This massiveness extends to the crypt, located under the altar, which is richly decorated with arches, marble, and sculptures that guard the notable people buried there.
The construction of the current cathedral started in 1913 and was finished forty years later.
The São Paulo Cathedral is located on the site of a previous cathedral built in the 17th century.
Sao Paulo Cathedral 1 (2019-01-18/2019-01-18) by Henrique Bianchi
Standing out in the skyline of São Paulo
Did you know that the Cathedral’s organ is one the largest in Latin America?
Amazon Theater
The Amazon Theater was built with the profits of the Amazon Rubber Boom, when Manaus monopolized the world’s supply of latex.
The Amazon Theater was inaugurated on December 31, 1896, after a rocky 15-year construction process.
The Amazon Theater and the Peace Theater, in Belém, are known as the Amazonia Theaters. Both were built during the last quarter of the 19th century and share a very similar architectural style.
Did you know that the Amazon Theater is featured in the opening scene of Fitzcarraldo, written and directed by acclaimed German director Werner Herzog?
Another noticeable contrast is the dome that crowns the opera house. The dome, which has no functional but stilistic value, is covered with 36,000 glazed tiles that make up the Brazilian flag.
Amazon Theatre 3 (2013-09-21/2013-09-21) by Judy Dillon
Outside the Amazon Theater
Glancing up and down
The neo-Renaissance pink building beautifully contrasts with Manus main square’s black and white tiled floor, designed to resemble the Encontro das Águas, a natural phenomenon that takes place at the confluence between the Black river and the Amazon river.
These monuments, located in large metropolitan areas with very particular qualities, reflect outstanding aspects of the Brazilian society: cultural diversity, shared identity and sense of belonging.