Rio de Janeiro Cathedral, Conical cathedral in Centro, Brazil
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian rises in downtown Rio de Janeiro as a grey concrete cone 106 metres across at its base and 75 metres tall, with a flat top. Four vertical ribs divide the walls, which are pierced by rows of small rectangular openings; four stained glass windows run 64 metres from floor to ceiling.
Construction began in 1964 and lasted about 15 years, creating an entirely new religious center for the city. This building replaced earlier cathedrals that had served the community since the 1600s.
The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Sebastian, the patron saint of Rio de Janeiro, and its main bronze door carries reliefs on the theme of faith. The interior was designed by Father Paulo Lachen Maier, the sculptures are by Humberto Cozzo, and the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament holds two candelabra by Niccola Zanotto.
The cathedral stands in the city centre, and the entrance faces the paved area in front of the concrete cone. The interior holds 5,000 seats and up to 20,000 people standing, so it fills quickly during Masses and feast days. Four stained glass windows run 64 metres from floor to ceiling; look up from the central aisle to see them.
The church was inspired by pyramid designs and features an unusual round base that sets it apart from traditional church buildings. This design creates a large open interior space without columns, allowing clear sightlines to the altar from anywhere in the building.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,892 contributors worldwide.
