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A monument to midcentury modern architecture and far-sighted urban planning, Brasilia is the flourishing innovation of former President Juscelino Kubitschek. Brazil’s purpose-built capital city was completed in just four years (1956-1960) to move the old center of government (in Rio de Janeiro) to a location close to the center of the country. Take a bus tour or leisurely walk to appreciate the imposing, geometric government buildings or the Brasilia Cathedral (with its stained glass and 16 concrete columns ), relax in one of the well-groomed parks, and watch the sun set while you dine al fresco beside manmade Paranoá Lake.
The capital of Brazil, "a futuristic city in the midst of unspoiled nature," is over 700 miles inland from the former capital of Rio de Janeiro. Every aspect of the city was planned, including its location, selected to ensure safety from maritime attack. Design and construction began in 1956, and Bras¡lia became the county's new capital in 1960. Masterminded by Brazilian architect and urban planner L£cio Costa and initially given definition by the work of architect Oscar Niemeyer and landscape designer Roberto Burle Marx, Bras¡lia's government buildings and monuments, green spaces, and residential "super blocks" are all designed for efficient, pleasant living while reflecting Niemeyer's philosophy that "The architecture should be an expression of the spirit, of the imagination and the poetry." Many of the buildings are soaring, and futuristic sculptures by a number of artists adorn the spaces around many of the buildings. An architectural tour could take days; dozens of structures clamor for inclusion on the list of "must-sees." An essential component of the city's design was to help ensure its eventual growth into the cultural, as well as administrative, center of the country. Theaters, museums, and cultural centers are venues for countless performances and exhibitions. Art galleries show the work of contemporary artists, and festivals -- both secular and religious -- dot the calendar. Boasting the most green space per inhabitant of any city in Brazil, Brasilia's parks are restful oases for strolling, people watching, and picnicking. Two parks in particular appeal to tourists, the zoological and botanical gardens. Over 1,000 animal species are on display at the Jardim Zool¢gico, and the Jardim Bot?nico features the flora of the savanna area and a medicinal garden with over 100 species of natural herbs.