1235674ON THE TRAIL
Rio de Janeiro
Listed as UNESCO’s first World Capital of
Architecture for 2020, Rio is full of modernist
marvels. Take a wander and discover some of
the best. Words: Connor McGovern(^1) CASA DAS CANOAS
Start at the former home of Oscar
Niemeyer, godfather of Brazil’s
modernist movement. Cleverly
built to sit amid the greenery,
the minimalist pad is deined by
its heavy use of glass and curves
— his signature style — from the
lat, kidney-shaped roof to the
rounded pool. niemeyer.org.br
2 COPACABANA BEACH
Stray from the sand of the city’s
most famous beach and you’ll ind
modernist art right beneath your
feet. Roberto Burle Marx’s black-
and-white promenade runs along
Avenida Atlântica. Inspired by
similar pavement designs in 1930s
Portugal, the motif has become an
unoicial emblem of the city.
3 MUSEU DE ARTE MODERNA
Meander on to Flamengo Park
and marvel at the city’s modern
art museum, conceived by
architect Afonso Eduardo Reidy.
Ater taking in the artwork, be
sure to head up to the upper level,
where the roof terrace and lounge
have dramatic views of Sugarloaf
Mountain. mam.rio
4 METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL OF
SAINT SEBASTIAN
Edgar Fonseca took inspiration
for his hulking church from the
Mayan pyramids. However, it’s
the inside that truly dazzles: four
huge, kaleidoscopic stained-glass
windows run from loor to ceiling,
casting specks of coloured light
over the central altar.
5 PALÁCIO GUSTAVO CAPANEMA
This is one of the most important
landmarks in town. Overseen by
modernist master Le Corbusier,
it was the irst modernist project
in the Americas when it was
inished in 1943. Don’t miss the
beautiful blue-and-white azulejo
tile murals, which add a splash of
colour to the ground loor.
7 MUSEU DE ARTE
CONTEMPORÂNEA DE NITERÓI
Niemeyer’s masterpiece is a
striking, three-loor modern art
museum, which sits on a clif
above Guanabara Bay. It’s become
a poster boy for Rio’s modernist
architecture, thanks to its bowl-
and-pedestal shape and winding
red walkway. culturaniteroi.com
6 TEATRO POPULAR DE NITERÓI
Another of Niemeyer’s avant-
garde ediices, this theatre cuts
a wavy igure with its white-
and-yellow, undulating shape.
You might even be able to catch
a show al fresco, as the cleverly
conceived stage is half-indoors,
half-outdoors. culturaniteroi.com
October 2019 31
SMART TRAVELLER