Rio de Janeiro Cathedral

Far from a typical church, the Rio de Janeiro Cathedral is a tall, cone-shaped building that’s distinctive to the downtown Rio skyline.  The unusual design was inspired by the Mayan pyramids and was built in the ‘60s and ‘70s by architect Edgar Fonseca. One of the most important contemporary religious structures in Rio, the cathedral is dedicated to St Sebastian, the patron saint of the city, and has received three papal visits. 
Standing at 315 feet (96 meters), the hollow interior is undeniably the most impressive part of the building. Massive bronze doors give way to the circular nave, nearly 350 feet (106 meters) in diameter, fit to accommodate 20,000 churchgoers on foot. Four panels of floor-to-ceiling stained-glass windows surround the structure, and a skylight in the shape of a cross at the top allows for natural light to flood into the interior. This unique cathedral is a must-see for those interested in contemporary architecture. 

Practical Info

The Rio de Janeiro Cathedral is located at Avenida Chile, 245 in the city center. It is open to visitors every day from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Sunday mass at 10 a.m. There is also a daily mass at noon in the JMJ Chapel, although on Monday is it in the Chapel of Souls. Admission is free.