Supremo Tribunal Federal building, Modernist courthouse in Praça dos Três Poderes, Brasília, Brazil
The Supremo Tribunal Federal is a courthouse located on Praça dos Três Poderes in Brasília, featuring white marble colonnades and extensive glass surfaces across three floors. The design combines open covered walkways with enclosed spaces to create a functional, modern structure.
Oscar Niemeyer designed the structure, which was completed in 1960 as part of Brasília's development as Brazil's new capital city. It became a key symbol of the nation's institutional modernization.
The statue 'A Justiça' by Alfredo Ceschiatti at the entrance embodies how law and justice are understood in Brazilian public life. It reflects the connection between artistic expression and the court's role in society.
The building sits in the heart of the government district and is easily reached on foot, ideally in the morning when it is less crowded. Check access arrangements and visiting conditions before you go.
The building appears to hover above the ground due to its exceptionally thin foundation, an optical effect achieved through careful engineering by Joaquim Cardozo. This design choice reinforces the sense of modernity and weightlessness.
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