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Discover the origins of Brazilian modern architecture on a walking tour through the heart of Rio de Janeiro. See the Gustavo Capanema Building, the first fully modernist building in Brazil.

Highlights

• Discover the origins of Brazilian modern architecture on a walking tour
• See the Gustavo Capanema Building, the first fully modernist building in Brazil
• Learn about the influence of Le Corbusier on Brazilian modern architecture
• Admire the Museum of Modern Art, designed by architect Affonso Eduardo Reidy

Description

Join a walking tour through the heart of Rio de Janeiro to discover how Brazil’s modern architecture began, evolved, and ultimately defined a unique identity—where global inspiration met tropical creativity. Start your journey in the iconic Cinelândia district, a vibrant area filled with early 20th-century buildings inspired by French Beaux-Arts architecture. Admire grand facades, elegant columns, and decorative details that reflect a time when Brazilian architects studied in Paris and brought back European ideals of beauty, order, and monumentality. Next, visit a true milestone in Brazilian design: the Gustavo Capanema Building, completed in the 1930s. This was the first fully modernist building in Brazil, designed by a team led by Lúcio Costa, with the young Oscar Niemeyer and the influence of Le Corbusier. See firsthand how modernist principles—like pilotis, brise-soleil, clean lines, and open spaces—were adapted to Brazil’s tropical climate, with gardens by the legendary Roberto Burle Marx. End the tour at the stunning Museum of Modern Art (MAM), designed in the 1950s by architect Affonso Eduardo Reidy. Located on the edge of Guanabara Bay, this iconic building represents the maturity of Brazilian modernism: bold, functional, and beautifully integrated with nature.

Includes

Guided walking tour of Rio de Janeiro's modernist architecture Tour Guide specialized in Cultural Heritage and Brazilian Architecture Admission to the Museum of Modern Art (MAM)

Important Information

• Wear comfortable walking shoes and light clothing Photography is allowed, but flash photography is not permitted inside buildings

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund