Viaduto Santa Tereza, Cultural viaduct in downtown Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Viaduto Santa Tereza is an elevated concrete bridge with curved parabolic arches that spans across city streets, train tracks, and transit lines in the downtown area. The structure rises above several layers of transportation infrastructure and connects the higher ground of two neighborhoods to the city center.
Built in 1929, this viaduct was among the first structures of its kind in the region to use reinforced concrete for such a large span. Its construction represented a technological shift in how the city approached urban infrastructure and connectivity.
The viaduct serves as a stage for local music and art events that take place beneath its arches. These gatherings have become part of the neighborhood's social fabric and everyday cultural life.
Pedestrians can walk across the viaduct during daylight hours and enjoy views of the surrounding neighborhoods from above. The area around the structure is accessible year-round, though it is best explored in daylight and in company with others.
The bridge's distinctive curved arches have been referenced in works of Brazilian literature, particularly in a novel that uses the structure as part of its urban setting. This connection to the literary world has added a cultural layer to its identity.
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