Congresso Nacional
Praça dos 3 Poderes, Brasília, Brazil, 70160-900
Brazil’s National Congress (Congresso Nacional) building looks more like a futuristic space center than a government building. Part of architect Oscar Niemeyer’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed design, the Brasilia landmark features a central 28-story twin tower—the city’s highest building—flanked by a pair of convex and concave domes, which house the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, respectively.
The basics
Sightseeing tours of Brasilia typically visit the city’s architectural highlights, including the Congresso Nacional, the neighboring Itamaraty Palace, and nearby landmarks such as Brasilia Cathedral and the Museu Nacional da República. Private tours of the Federal District provide further insight into the government buildings and the opportunity to explore inside.
On a guided tour of the Congresso Nacional, expect to see the Noble Hall with its many artworks, the Chamber’s museum, and the Green Hall, whose design includes furniture by Oscar and Anna Maria Niemeyer and a garden by landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx.
Things to know before you go
Official guided tours of the Congresso Nacional are available in English and must be booked in advance.
Tours are free and last about 50 minutes.
Don’t forget your passport: ID is required.
There is a strict dress code for visitors; shorts, short skirts, sleeveless tops, and flip-flops are not allowed.
The Congresso Nacional is wheelchair accessible.
How to get there
The Congresso Nacional is located on the grand Esplanade of Ministries, right opposite Itamaraty Palace. It’s generally safe to walk around the Federal District in the daytime, but if you’re traveling further afield, opt for a taxi or Uber, or visit as part of a guided tour.
When to get there
While you can admire the Congresso Nacional from the outside at any time, tours are offered on Mondays and Thursday–Sunday, as well as on Brazilian public holidays; make a reservation before you go. The Federal District is liveliest during the week, when government employees are at work.
Three Powers Plaza: the political heart of Brasilia
The Congresso Nacional is one of the buildings that stand on Three Powers Plaza (Praça dos Três Poderes), the grand centerpiece of the Federal District. Formed by a trio of Niemeyer’s modernist structures, the square creates a meeting point—and separation—of the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches of government: the Presidential Palace (Palácio do Planalto), the National Congress, and the Supreme Court (Supremo Tribunal Federal). Complementing its democratic importance, the site is key to Brasilia’s design.
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