Brasília |
Brasília has a history different from other brazilian cities. Instead of being
built little by little, it was totally erected in less than four years. The authors of the exploit were Juscelino Kubitschek, president of Brazil
at that time, who idealized the new capital, and architects Lucio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer, responsible for the city’s project.
Kubitschek selected an area of the State of Goiás to create the Federal District,
where Brasília is situated. The daring decision was part of the project of reconstruction of Brazil, whose motto was "50 anos em 5"
(50 years in 5). The objective was to build a new capital in the heart of the country.
Taking the capital to the interior was an Idea that interested governors since the
18th centuries, to keep away the danger of a maritime attack. José Bonifácio was the one who suggested the name “Brasília” in 1823
and, still in the first Constituição (of 1891), the project for the construction of the new capital was approved.
The first rock was placed in 1922, but during the following governs the construction
was halted until 1955, when the commission for the New Federal Capital Location has chosen the exact place for the new city. The works started
in 1956 and, in the following year, Lúcio Costa won a contest that would define the urban set of the city, with a project called “Plano
Piloto”.
As the objective was to create the perfect city, Lúcio Costa divided the location
in different zones. It has as shape of cross, with two great circulation ways: “rodoviário”, which takes to the residential area, and “monumental”,
that goes through the public buildings.
Oscar Niemeyer designed most of the public buildings of the city, which have
concrete and sinuous lines as the most remarkable characteristics. Considered a masterpiece of the modern architecture, it was elected Mankind
Heritage by Unesco.
In 1960, April 21st, Brasília was finally inaugurated. But neither Jânio
Quadros nor João Goulart, presidents of Brazil between 1960 and 1964, transferred effectively the capital. It was only in 1964, after the
militaries took the power, that they consolidated Brasília as the new capital of Brazil. Since then, Brasília is the stage of the main decisions
took in the country. Today, it’s a developed city, not only seat of the executive power, but also a cultural and entertainment center. |
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