Pórtico dos Reis Magos, Monumental sculpture at BR-101 Highway entrance in Natal, Brazil
The Pórtico dos Reis Magos is a monumental structure spanning the BR-101 Highway, featuring a white concrete form shaped like a shooting star with three statues positioned beneath. The structure creates a striking gateway across the roadway, marking the city's main southern entrance.
The monument was built in 1999 and completed by a construction company in just two months. This rapid building project with significant steel engineering was a major achievement for the city during that period.
The three statues beneath the structure represent the Three Wise Men and connect the monument to the religious traditions and the city's name. This representation is deeply rooted in local identity and shapes how people see this southern gateway.
The monument is located at Natal's southern entrance and is easily visible to travelers on the BR-101 Highway. The best view comes from the road itself or from the roadside areas where visitors can see the full height of the white structure.
The work features an impressive technical achievement: an enormous prestressed concrete cantilever that spans over the highway without additional supports. This construction method was a rare feat of Brazilian engineering at the time.
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