Also known as the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Rio de Janeiro Cathedral was designed by
Architect Edgar de Oliveira da Fonseca and is cone shaped, with a diameter of 106 meters in the base and 96 meters high.
The main door is ornamented with 48 bas-relief bronze sculptures with a religious theme and the inside featuring 60-meters-high glasses from the walls to the dome, creating astonishing natural lights.
In the basement of the church is Rio’s Sacred Art Museum, where the fountain used to baptize the princes of the Portuguese Royal Family stands out, and there is also the statue of Our Lady of the Rosary, the throne of Dom Pedro II and the Gold Rose granted to Princess Isabel from Pope Leao XIII, celebrating the signing of the Slavery Abolition Act in Brazil.
As all the catholic churches, the Cathedral has the cross as the most sacred sign, this one is humongous and made of transparent material.
Take this opportunity to visit the many bars and restaurants in the region.
Free admission.
Address
Av. Chile, 245 - Centro
The most comfortable way to reach downtown Rio de Janeiro and the Cathedral is by taxi. Check out taxi rates.
You can also get
a driver using cellphone apps
Take the subway, get off at Cinelândia Station and walk 5 minutes until the site. Check the subway map.
Bus lines leading to all parts of town pass through Rio Branco Avenue. Check out the itineraries.