Santana Cathedral, Cathedral in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Santana Cathedral is a modern church in Rio de Janeiro with a cone-shaped design and an interior diameter of 96 meters, rising 75 meters high. The space is lit by four monumental stained glass windows, while sloped walls with square windows in geometric patterns define the building's character.
Construction started in the late 1960s under architect Edgar Fonseca, replacing a series of older churches that had served as cathedrals since 1676. This new building represented a shift toward modern architecture to accommodate the expanding population of the city.
The cathedral draws design inspiration from Mayan pyramids, featuring tilted walls with square windows arranged in honeycomb patterns. Inside, four tall stained glass windows cast colored light throughout the space, shaping how worshippers and visitors experience the building.
The building holds up to 20,000 people, making it a major venue for worship services and community events. A museum located in the basement can be explored separately and offers insight into the site's history and collections.
The bronze doors feature religious motifs, while a crucifix-shaped skylight connects the four corner points of the structure at the ceiling. This combination of light and symbol creates a subtle spiritual effect throughout the interior.
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