National Congress Palace, Parliament building in Brasília, Brazil
The National Congress Palace is a concrete parliament building in Brasília with two distinctive domes and two tall towers rising between them. The upward-facing dome houses the Chamber of Deputies, while the downward-facing dome contains the Senate, both connected by a low platform.
Oscar Niemeyer designed the structure as part of the new federal capital that opened in April 1960. The architecture follows the modernist style of the international school characteristic of Brasília.
The name National Congress Palace refers to the two chambers of the Brazilian parliament, each meeting under one of the two domes. Brazilian artists created murals and sculptures for the interiors that visitors can view while walking through the corridors and halls.
Guided tours show the main rooms of both chambers and offer views of the building interiors. Visitors should note that security checks are common and certain areas are only accessible at set times.
The two towers between the domes reach a height of 28 stories and mark the eastern end of the city's monumental axis. This arrangement creates a symmetrical composition visible from different points around the area.
Location: Brasília
Inception: 1960
Architects: Oscar Niemeyer
Official opening: April 21, 1960
Architectural style: International Style, modernism
Part of: Pilot Plan of Brasília
GPS coordinates: -15.79972,-47.86417
Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:30
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.
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