|
Best of Sao Paulo
Municipal Theatre of Sao Paulo
It is without doubt one of the most important theatres in Latin America. From Downtown, it can get this marvel building, by walking along “Sao Joao” avenue. This theatre was designed by the engineer “Ramos de Azevedo” who was assisted by the Italian architects “Claudio Rossi” and “Domiziano Rossi”. The building’s design was inspired in the “Scala of Milan”. The theatre was built using mainly materials imported from Europe. The construction works lasted eight years between 1903 and 1911. The theatre was inaugurated on September 12, 1911 with the opera “Hamlet” made by Ambroise Thomas. One decade after its inauguration, the theatre hosted the today legendary “Week of Modern Art”, this event showed during seven days the best of the Brazilian Modernism and served also as showcase to some of the greatest glories of the Brazilian modern art amongst them “Tarsila do Amaral”, “Menotti del Picchia”, “Di Cavalcanti”, “Oswald de Andrade” amongst others.
During the most part of the XX century the theatre was modified several times, the walls were painted and some parts were remodeled; therefore the architecture of the building lost its essence. Fortunately, since 1980 the theatre has been restored and is now one of the main scenarios of art in Latin America which hosts theater, opera and dance; being the greatest symbol of the cultural live of Sao Paulo and Brazil.
Municipal Theatre
Paulista Avenue
Sao Paulo is the main economical center of Brazil. The city produces almost 65% of the national product. Therefore, Sao Paulo hosts the greatest companies of the country. Most important enterprises in Brazil have their headquarters in “Paulista” avenue. This place is to Brazil the same that Wall Street is to USA. It is a long avenue surrounded by many skyscrapers. This avenue hosts also many important museums, art galleries, malls, etc.
This avenue was once a residential neighborhood, surrounded by luxury mansions, which belonged to the former Brazilian aristocracy. But, during XX century the large and luxury mansions were replaced by impressive skyscrapers; the one vestige of the residential past of this place is the “Casa das Rosas” (Roses House) a nice mansion constructed in 1905 recently restored, that is the one house of this whole zone.
It believes that almost 800 000 Brazilians works every day at the “Paulista” avenue. This avenue is also scenery every year of political manifestations and the “Sao Paulo Gay Parade”.
Paulista Avenue
Art Museum of Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo is considered the cultural capital of the country, therefore this city owns some of the most important museums in Brazil. One of these museums is the “Museo de Arte de Sao Paulo”, also known as MASP. It is a beautiful building located at “Paulista Avenue”, the main avenue of Sao Paulo. The museum is not very large; but owns a nice collection of local and international art pieces. The main pieces are located in the second floor, where it is located the permanent collection, which is composed by works of famous artists like “Cezanne”, “Monet”, “Goya”, “Picasso”, “Van Gogh”, “Rodin” amongst others, as well as some works of famous Brazilian artists like “Di Cavalcanti” or “Candido Portinari”.
The museum also saves a collection of medieval works as well as many local art pieces; which are exhibited mainly in the first floor where there are usually temporary exhibitions. Besides, the museum hosts every Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00 an antiques fair, where it can find some nice antiques of good quality.
This museum is located at 1578 “Paulista ” avenue and you can visit it from Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 18:00. Admission costs R$10 (around $6).
Art Museum of Sao Paulo (MASP)
Ibirapuera Park
This is the local version of the New York Central Park. It was inaugurated in 1954 to commemorate the 400 anniversary of the city . The Ibirapuera Park is a really huge green space composed by around 2 millions of square kilometers. This place is an excellent point to spend a day away from the city traffic. Inside the park it can find several lakes, which hosts many animals like ducks, birds, geese, swans, etc. In addition to, you can wander the paths near lagoons using a bike for $3 per hour. The park hosts also two of the most important museums in Brazil the Modern Art Museum (known as MAM) and the African Art Museum as well as many buildings and monuments designed by the famous architects Oscar Niemeyer and Roberto Burle Marx like the “Manoel da Nobrega Pavilion”, the “Lucas Nogueira Garcez Pavilion” or the “Planetarium and Municipal Astrophysics School”. Besides, every Sunday there are free outdoor concerts in the “Praça da Paz” (Peace Square). The park is opened every day from 5:00 to midnight; but, it isn’t advisable to visit it at nights. Admission is free.
Ibirapuera Park
Cathedral da Se
It is located in the Downtown over the land where they were constructed the first two cathedrals of the city. The actual cathedral was constructed during the first half of the XX century (since 1913); it highlights by the gothic style of its impressive façade, although its interior is quite austere. The original design of this building was made by the German architect Maximilian Emil Hehl. The cathedral was completed only until 1954 just in time to celebrate the 400 anniversary of the city’s foundation. Nevertheless, by 1954 the main towers of the temple were not yet completed; they would be only finished by 1967. This building which was remodeled between 200 and 2002 can host 8000 people and is decorated with marble and many typical Brazilian items like coffee, pineapples, Amazon animals, etc. The church owns also a subterranean crypt, where all bishops and archbishops of Sao Paulo are buried and a precious organ of gothic style made by the Italian firm “Balniani and Rosi”. This church is located at “Praça da Se” (cathedral square) and opens every day from 7:00 to 19:00.
Banespa Building
It is one of the highest buildings of Sao Paulo and highlights, because it is a replica of the famous “Empire State” in New York. This building was constructed to be headquarter of the “Bank of the State of Sao Paulo” (BANESPA). The building was built from 1939 to 1947 and after its inauguration; it was the highest building of the city during 20 years. The building’s design was made by the architect “Plinio Botelho”, who decided to copy the style of the world famous “Empire State” in New York. The Banespa is 161.22 meters high; it has 35 floors, 17,851 square meters, 900 stpes, 1119 windows and was considered in the 1950s and 1960s the largest structure of armed concrete in the World. Since 2000, the famous building belongs to the Spanish group “Banco Santander Central Hispano”. From the top of the building , it can enjoy the best view of the city; since there is an observation point with views up to 40 Km; that allow to watch some of the main landmarks of Sao Paulo like, The "Se" Cathedral, the "Municipal Market" or the "Paulista" avenue.
Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral
It is one of the few orthodox monuments in America and is definitely the most important. It was constructed in 1940 and its design is inspired by the "Santa Sophia" cathedral in Istanbul, Turkey. This church is one of the most beautiful buildings in Sao Paulo and one of the few buildings that are not covert by the high skyscrapers of the Downtown of Sao Paulo. This cathedral is quite luxurious like the typical orthodox churches of Eastern Europe. This church is located very near “Paradise” metro station, therefore is very easy arriving to it. Without doubt, this church is one of the main landmarks of Sao Paulo.
Back to:
Portuguese in Sao Paulo
Portuguese in Brazil
Portuguese Courses
| 
Send to a friend
