Niterói Contemporary Art Museum, Contemporary art museum in Niterói, Brazil
The circular museum building rises 16 meters high with a 50-meter diameter cupola, standing on a cliff above Guanabara Bay.
Oscar Niemeyer and engineer Bruno Contarini completed this concrete and glass structure in 1996 as a new cultural center for Niterói.
The museum houses 1,217 contemporary artworks from João Sattamini's collection, representing the second largest assemblage of its kind in Brazil.
Visitors can access the museum Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00, with free entry for Niterói residents and cyclists.
The cylindrical base supports a disc-shaped structure surrounded by a reflecting pool, offering 360-degree views of Rio de Janeiro and Sugarloaf Mountain.
Location: Niterói
Inception: 1996
Architects: Oscar Niemeyer
Official opening: 1996
Address: Mirante da Boa Viagem 24210-390
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-18:00
Phone: +552126202400
Website: http://macniteroi.com.br
GPS coordinates: -22.90778,-43.12611
Latest update: May 27, 2025 08:39
This collection gathers examples of architectural rehabilitation where former industrial sites have been transformed into new spaces for living, culture, and gatherings. These projects illustrate how contemporary architecture can give a second life to structures that marked European and North American industrial history, while maintaining their original identity. Included are the Oberhausen Gasometer, a 117-meter gas holder converted into exhibition space, the Van Nelle Factory in Rotterdam, an old coffee and tobacco factory turned cultural venue, and the High Line in New York, a 1930s elevated railway converted into a 2.3-kilometer urban park. The Zeche Zollverein complex in Essen showcases Bauhaus-style industrial architecture from the 1930s, while Strijp-S in Eindhoven, a former Philips production site, now hosts creative and technological studios. These sites demonstrate the possibilities offered by repurposing industrial heritage into accessible public spaces.
These structures demonstrate the boundaries of architectural design. From the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco to the Lotus Temple in New Delhi, architecture takes unconventional forms. The buildings combine technical innovation with artistic expression.
These structures represent postmodern architecture from 1970 to present. The buildings display diverse forms, materials, and functions: from museums and libraries to stadiums and churches. They combine new technologies with artistic elements.
Oscar Niemeyer shaped Brazilian modernism with his concrete constructions featuring bold geometric forms. In Brasília, the capital he helped design, the Cathedral stands out with its sixteen columns rising 40 meters (131 feet) high, while the National Congress combines two 28-story towers with opposing domes, one facing upwards for the House of Representatives, the other downwards for the Senate. The Niterói Contemporary Art Museum, with its circular shape resting on a central support, overlooks the bay of Rio de Janeiro. His work extends beyond Brazil. In Paris, the headquarters of the French Communist Party reflects his architectural vision, as does the Asturian Cultural Center in Spain. These international projects extend the architect’s influence beyond his homeland. In São Paulo, the Copan Building showcases its curved S-shaped facade stretching 115 meters (377 feet), containing 1,160 apartments across 32 floors. These works embody a modernist approach favoring concrete structures, geometric volumes, and natural light integration.
Fortress of Santa Cruz
3.2 km
Caminho Niemeyer
6 m
Arariboia
1.6 km
Teatro João Caetano
1.4 km
Solar do Jambeiro
544 m
Niterói City Council building
1.9 km
Palácio do Ingá
456 m
Fort of Saint Louis
3 km
Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Niterói
1.9 km
Igreja de São Lourenço dos Índios
2.8 km
Fort of Gragoatá
1.2 km
Pedra de Itapuca
681 m
Palácio São Domingos
2 km
Basílica de Nossa Senhora Auxiliadora
2.9 km
Pedra do Índio
857 m
Museu Antônio Parreiras
674 m
Museu do Ingá
463 m
Paço Municipal de Niterói
1.8 km
Biblioteca Estadual de Niterói
1.7 km
Jambeiro Manor
533 m
Palácio da Justiça
1.8 km
Fortaleza de Santa Cruz Lighthouse
3.5 km
Janete Costa Museum
485 m
Church of the Intercession of the Theotokos
532 m
Agência Central dos Correios e Telégrafos de Niterói
1.5 km
Capela da Ilha de Boa Viagem
555 m
Fórum de Niterói do Tribunal de Justiça de Estado
1.8 km
Chalé da Western Telegraph
591 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes