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The Story Of Brasilia History And Its Place In The Modern World
Brasilia history started with a dream. The legend goes something like this: One night Dom Bosco, the Italian saint and founder of the Order of Silesians, had a dream about a fantastic city. He imagined that the city would sit between the 15th and 20th parallels, and it would be a utopian model for the rest of the world to follow. This city would lead a nation, and it would be a land of milk and honey for everyone.
This dream was the inspiration for the building of Brasilia. But, Brasilia history wasn't ready to start yet. There would be many plans throughout the next 70 years to build a new capital in the interior of the country. The capital of Brazil had been Rio de Janeiro since the mid-1700's. There were many plans to move the capital, but it would have to wait until the era of prosperity following World War 2.
The President of Brazil during the post-war years was Eurico Gaspar Dutra. This was a great time for Brazil's economy and the Brazilian people. The next president, Juscelino Kubitschek, was the founder of the city of Brasilia. He was an idealist, and proposed to advance the country of Brazil 50 years in just 5 during his presidency. This included building highways and encouraging more auto manufacturing, as well as other economic changes. But, what Juscelino Kubitschek is really known for today is creating the new capital city of Brasilia.
The site for the new capital was chosen because of its central location. Although the economy and cultural life of the country had always centered around Rio, the area chosen for Brasilia was in the exact geographic center of the country, right between the 15th and 20th parallels, as Dom Bosco had imagined. Part of the plan was that moving the capital to the mid-western part of the country would encourage development of the area.
Kubitschek chose a group of the 20th century's best artist and architects to help design the city. Lucio Costa was chosen as the urban planner to design the city. The architect chosen for most of the major buildings was Oscar Niemeyer. Roberto Burle Marx did the landscape design. Other artists who contributed to the city of Brasilia were Bruno Giorgi, Alfredo Ceschiatti, Athos Bulcao, Marienne Peretti, Volpi, Di Cavalcanti, and Victor Brecheret.
The original design of the city was to be in the shape of a cross. However, in the early stages of the design, urban planners decided to make the city in the shape of an airplane, to symbolize progress. Some people say that, if you look at the city just the right way, it looks more like a bird than an airplane.
Brasilia was built in 41 months, from 1956 to 1960. This makes it one of the marvels of the modern world. It was inaugurated on April 21, 1960 and officially opened the next day, even though it wasn't entirely finished yet.
The original plan of the city was to accommodate 500,000 people, mostly government workers. Now the city has over 2 million. Many of the migrant workers who came to help build the city ended up staying, and these communities now form the basis of Brasilia's many "satellite cities."
Brasilia history is one of the things that makes this city unique. Brasilia is a model to future city builders about what can be done with determination, skill and urban planning. For more detail about Brasilia history, have a look at the sources below.
Sources
About Brasilia - www.aboutbrasilia.com/facts/history.html
The History Of Brasilia - www.infobrasilia.com.br/bsb_hi.htm
From Brasilia History back to Brasilia Brazil Guide
Restaurants in Brasilia
Eating is one of the best parts of a trip to Brasilia. The number of great restaurants in Brasilia is staggering. Here are reviews of some of the most popular restaurants in Brasilia, just to get you started.
Brasilia Facts
Check out these Brasilia facts and figures, and learn about the population of Brasilia, its economy and sports teams. For more information, have a look at the links to other sites with Brasilia facts at the bottom of the page.
Brasilia Links
Here is a listing of Brasilia links and related web pages. You can find Brasilia links to travel sites as well as information about Brasilia's culture and history.
Map of Brasilia
This page contains maps of Brasilia. These maps of Brasilia will show you how the city is laid out, and where it lies in Brazil.
Brasilia Sightseeing
Brasilia sightseeing is not just fantastic architecture and wonderful parks. For the best Brasilia sightseeing, check out the rental cars in Brasilia, and get out of town for a day or two.
Brasilia Guide Books
Unfortunately, there aren't any Brasilia guide books written yet. If you want a Brasilia guide book, your best bet is to buy a Brazil guide book with comprehensive coverage. This article gives reviews of the three most popular.
Sanctuary Dom Bosco Brasilia
The Dom Bosco Sanctuary Brasilia is one of the city's great cultural sights. This church honors the Italian saint who dreamed up the city of Brasilia. The Dom Bosco Sanctuary Brasilia is a great attraction.
Brasilia Temple of Legiao da Boa Vontade
The Brasilia Temple of Legiao da Boa Vontade is a unique sightseeing attraction. Known as a center for spiritualism in Brazil's capital city, the Brasilia Temple of Legiao da Boa Vontade is a great place to visit on your trip.
Brasilia Museum de Valores
The Brasilia Museum de Valores is the nation's money museum, located in Brasilia's central bank. At the Brasilia Museum de Valores, you can see coins and monetary items from all over the world, and throughout human history.
Brasilia Museum Memoirial JK
The Brasilia JK Museum and Memorial honors the city's founding father, Juscelino Kubitschek. At the Brasilia JK Museum and Memorial, you'll find lots of exhibits about the life of Kubitschek and the founding of Brasilia.
Brasilia National Gems Museum
Located partway up the Television Tower is the Brasilia National Gems Museum. Take some time to check out the Brasilia National Gems Museum and see the best gems the world has to offer.
Brasilia Memorial Museum of the indian people
A little known cultural attraction, the Brasilia Memorial Museum of the Indian People is well worth checking out. The Brasilia Memorial Musuem of the Indian People celebrates native art and culture.
Museum of Brazilian Arts Brasilia
One attraction you don't want to miss is the Museum of Brazilian Arts Brasilia. At the Museum of Brazilian Arts Brasilia you'll find works by contemporary Brazilian artists.
Praca dos Tres Poderes
Brasilia's Praca dos Tres Poderes (Three Powers Square) is one of its major cultural attractions. One of the places you must see in Brasilia is the Praca dos Tres Poderes.
Catetinho
Catetinho is one of Brasilia's historic sights. It is the house where Juscelino Kubitschek lived during the historic building of the city of Brasilia. Now, Catetinho is open to the public.
Torre de Televisao
Torre de Televisao (The Television Tower) is one of Brasilia's best sights to see. From the top of the Torre de Televisao, you can see all the major sights of the city below.
Palacio da Alvorada
The Palacio da Alvorada is Brasilia's "Palace of the Dawn." It is the palace where the president of Brazil lives. People travel from all over the country to get a glimpse of the Palacio da Alvorada.