Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1964)

Artist/Designer: Edgar Fonseca

Project Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Figure 1: Interior ( Source | Accessed : June 30, 2023 | Photographer: chensiyuan )

Figure 2: Window details ( Source | Accessed : July 6, 2023 | Photographer: www.gilpivert.fr )

Figure 3: Window details ( Source | Accessed : July 6, 2023 | Photographer: DDaniel Garcia Neto )

Figure 4: Top of the dome ( Source | Accessed : July 6, 2023 | Photographer: IraidaBedenko )

Figure 5: Museum that is located in the basement ( Source | Accessed : July 6, 2023 | Photographer: Ivan_Costa )

Figure 6: View of dome ( Source | Accessed : July 6, 2023 | Photographer: Clipperton1 )

Figure 7: Museum that is located in the basement ( Source | Accessed : July 6, 2023 | Photographer: Ivan_Costa )

Figure 8: Interior panorama ( Source | Accessed : June 30, 2023 | Photographer: Whaledad )

Figure 9: Exterior ( Source | Accessed : July 6, 2023 | Photographer: IraidaBedenko )

Figure 10: Exterior at night ( Source | Accessed : July 6, 2023 | Photographer: Alexandre Cabus )

Style/Period(s):
Modern

Primary Material(s):
Glass, Concrete

Function(s):
Religious Building

Related Website(s):

Website of the Cathedral (in Portuguese) | Accessed : July 7, 2023

Webpages with Information | Accessed : June 30, 2023

Webpage | Accessed : June 30, 2023

Significant Date(s):
1960-1969, 1964, 1970-1979, 1979

Additional Information:
Publications/Texts in Print:

Additional Information:
The cathedral has 5,000 seats and can hold 20,000 people with standing room included.

Project Description:
The cathedral is inspired by ancient Mayan pyramids, giving it its unique shape. It stands at 75 metres in external height, 64 meters in internal height, 106 meters in external diameter, and 96 in internal diameter. There is a museum, Sacred Art Museum, in the basement that has a collection of artwork, sculptures, murals, and fonts that were used to baptise the royal Portuguese princes.
There are four stained glass windows that are positioned according to the cardinal points. They symbolise the four characteristic notes of the Church: One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic.

Building Address:
Av. Chile, 245 - Downtown
Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 20031-170
Brazil

Supporting Designers/Staff:

Significant Dates:
1964 - Construction began
1979 - Cathedral opened

Associated Projects:

Tags:
Cathedral, Church, Catholicism, Mayan, Pyramid, Modern, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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