Resembling a huge, futuristic Mayan pyramid, it is impossible not to be amazed by this architectural downtown wonder. Inaugurated in 1976, while still incomplete, Catedral Metropolitana has a capacity of over 20,000 people. Conical shaped with no supporting columns and a granite rock that forms the altar, its four huge stained glass windows will rivet your attention. The underground houses the sacred arts museum.
Igreja e Mosteiro de São Bento was built in the early 17th-century by Benedictine monks as a place for worship and study. he façade is simple yet pleasant, while the baroque interior abounds with gold and silver, from the wood carvings of the altar to the spiral columns. This old church offers everything for the visitor: interesting history, colonial architecture and a richly decorated interior.
Constructed in the 17th Century, Igreja da Ordem Terceira de São Francisco da Penitência is a striking example of the city's breathtaking colonial architecture. The church is a part of the beautiful Convento Santo Antonio, and is one of the oldest religious edifices in the city. A prominent feature of this church is the stunning Baroque-style artwork on the roof; a rare feature among the city's historic churches.
Among the oldest church in Rio, Convento de Santo Antônio was finished in 1620, and was one of the most powerful religious centres in colonial times. It is known as "Saint Anthony of the rich," as opposed to "Saint Anthony of the poor," in another part of town. It consists of the convent itself and two churches. Inside the church of the Ordem Terceira de São Francisco da Penitência, the wood nave and ceiling frescos depict the glorification of St. Francis. Inside St. Anthony's, the marble and tile sacristy pictures the miracles he performed.
With its imposing façade and baroque style, Nossa Senhora da Candelária or Igreja da Candelária in Praça Pio X is impossible to ignore. It took almost ninety years to build and was finally completed in 1898, and is Rio's largest church. Just as impressive, the interior is a colourful mixture of marble sculpted columns, altars and statues. Also, the dome features impressive paintings by João Zeferino da Costa depicting the Christian virtues.
Il Cristo Redentore fu costruito come simbolo di vigilanza sul Monte Corcovado per rafforzare la fede durante gli anni turbolenti che seguirono la prima guerra mondiale. Una delle sette meraviglie del mondo, la statua si trova in cima a un piedistallo e rappresenta un simbolo di risveglio spirituale che guarda la città sottostante. Nata da un'idea di Heitor da Silva Costa e dello scultore francese Paul Landowski, la statua sovrasta i confini della città con un'altezza di 38 metri, compreso il piedistallo. La magnifica statua è realizzata in cemento armato e pietra saponaria e ospita una tranquilla cappella alla base. Con le sue braccia tese, la statua del Cristo Redentore denota una convergenza tra le antiche rappresentazioni di Cristo (che simboleggia la croce) e le interpretazioni più moderne che la ritengono un simbolo di pace.