7. Catedral de São Sebastião

Mayan pyramids once inspired Edgar Fonseca. He was the architect, who was responsible for designing Rio’s new cathedral. The structure was created 1964-1979. It is called the New Cathedral in order to distinguish it from Nossa Senhora do Carmo, the predecessor. The context was successfully interpreted with soaring forms and can seat 5,000 in its more than 90-meter interior. The stained glass windows that are as tall as 64 metres light the church. There’s a skyline in the centre with a bright beacon that lights the interior at night.