Monumento Rodoviário da Rodovia Presidente Dutra, Art Deco highway monument in Piraí, Brazil.
The Monumento Rodoviário is an Art Deco tower rising 46 meters high along a major highway route between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. The structure features observation areas and was originally designed with restaurants and leisure spaces to serve as a rest stop for travelers.
Construction began in 1926 under President Washington Luiz and the monument was officially inaugurated in 1938 as a transportation landmark. This project marked a key moment in Brazil's commitment to modern infrastructure and national connectivity.
The artworks here celebrated the road as a symbol of progress and connection across Brazil in the early 20th century. Today, visitors can still sense how travelers once stopped to admire these decorative panels as expressions of the nation's growth.
The monument is located at kilometer 226 of Via Dutra and is clearly visible from the road. Visitors are best served visiting during daylight hours to fully appreciate the observation areas, architecture, and decorative panels.
Two celebrated artists created works at this site: Candido Portinari painted four large panels depicting highway construction, while Albert Freyhoffer sculpted eight bas-relief panels on the exterior. This artistic collaboration turned the monument into an open-air gallery celebrating the builders of modern roads.
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