CatedralMetropolitanadoRiodeJaneiro

In the Center of Rio de Janeiro, near the Arcos da Lapa, stands the Catedral Metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro. With its modern style, the cathedral was inaugurated in 1979 by then-Cardinal D. Eugênio de Araújo Sales. Its appearance and history are anything but conventional, making it one of the most intriguing landmarks in the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph of a public event in an open location, possibly a square or event area. In the foreground, we see a large crowd of people arranged in several rows, with some individuals standing and others sitting on the ground. On the left, there is a parked bus. In the center, there is a circular structure with people arranged in rows, possibly taking part in a ceremony or performance. In the background, there is a series of modern buildings, including residential and commercial buildings, with some tall towers. The sky is covered with dense clouds, giving the image a somber tone.

Created in 1676, the Archdiocese of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro never had a home of its own and always used "borrowed" churches. In its first 58 years, it was housed in a small church on Morro do Castelo and moved, in 1734, to the church of Santa Cruz dos Militares. After 3 years, it was transferred again to the church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário e São Benedito dos Homens Pretos, where it remained until the arrival of the Royal Family in 1808. From then on, D. João VI had the Carmelites removed from their convent in order to elevate the chapel (Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Carmo da Antiga Sé) to the status of Royal Chapel.

Image description: This is a photograph of the Catedral Metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro. The image shows the interior of the church, with a rounded dome and a complex metal structure. From left to right, we see rows of wooden pews, some occupied by people. In the center, there is an aisle with a red carpet. Ahead is the main altar, adorned with colorful stained-glass windows. The side walls are decorated with vibrant stained-glass windows, while the ceiling features a metal structure with lights.

However, it was always the Archdiocese's intention to secure an exclusive site to house its cathedral, and in 1964, the State of Guanabara finally granted it a plot of land on which to build it.

The new Cathedral broke away from the typology of colonial churches and brought the influence of Mayan pyramids into a modern building. Designed by modernist architect Edgar Fonseca, its style followed the ideals upheld by the Second Vatican Council: a return to the "noble simplicity" of early Christian liturgy and "priority given to the full participation of all the people." And so it was done.

Image description: This is a photograph of a city featuring a modern building and a church. On the left side, we see two tall, rectangular buildings with blue facades. On the right, there is a church with a triangular structure and many architectural details. In front, there is a wall covered in colorful graffiti, with vibrant drawings and geometric shapes. In the background, there are green trees and power lines crossing the light blue sky with a few clouds.

Standing 75 meters tall and 106 meters in diameter, it has the capacity to hold up to 20,000 people standing. Upon entering the church, one immediately notices at the top an enormous Greek cross, at the center of a 30-meter circumference circle, made of transparent material and illuminated by natural light, representing the presence of Christ among men and seeking to symbolize the distance and proximity of people to God. The cone is cut by 4 stained-glass windows in different colors positioned according to the cardinal points, representing the 4 characteristic marks of the Catholic Church: one (green), holy (red), catholic (blue), and apostolic (yellow).