Praça dos Três Poderes
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Why go
- The Espaço Lúcio Costa, an underground 179 m² scale model of the city, reached by an elegant concrete staircase.
- Inside the white cube-shaped Espaço Oscar Niemeyer, where exhibitions of artists are shown.
- The twin Congress towers, about 100 m high, rise above the complex that seems to float above the water.
Don't miss
- Os GuerreirosSculpture by Bruno Giorgi, 1959, showing the builders of the capital.On the square.1959 On the map
- A JustiçaBlind justice statue by Alfredo Ceschiatti, 1960.In front of the Supreme Federal Court building on the south side.1960 On the map
- O PombalSculpture by Oscar Niemeyer, 1961, popularly called the clothes peg.On the square.1961 On the map
- The Congress domesTwo domes: a concave one for the lower house and a convex one for the upper house.The legislative palace fills the whole west side of the square. On the map
- The Palácio do PlanaltoGlass building under a wide white concrete roof, on white marble-covered columns.North side of the square, the official seat of the presidency. On the map
Know before you go
- The museum on the east side was renovated and closed to the public in 2010.
- The tourist office building has been empty since 2010, awaiting restoration.
Tips for your visit
- Plan to walk the upper concrete-paved Esplanada; the lower part has pools and greenery.
- The small Museu Histórico de Brasília stands on the west edge of the Esplanada.
- Look for the Livro de Aço, where the names of people who served the country are recorded.
Best time to visit
- Come on 21 April to see the sun rise between the two towers of Congress; the axis is aligned for that day.
- The flag is changed once a month in the presence of the Presidential Guard Battalion and Independence Dragoons.
Interesting facts6
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The ground was raised so the legislative building visually dominates the other two buildings.
Place des Trois-Pouvoirs - Wikipedia -
90 kilograms
The flag weighs about 90 kilograms.
Praça dos Três Poderes - Wikipedia -
24 steel
The flag flies over a pyramid of 24 steel beams, each one standing for a state.
Praça dos Três Poderes - Wikipedia -
Its layout has a lower part with pools and greenery and an upper concrete-paved Esplanada.
Praça dos Três Poderes - Wikipedia -
220 metres
The square measures about 120 by 220 metres.
Place des Trois-Pouvoirs - Wikipedia -
Lúcio Costa's explanatory report is considered the major factor in his competition victory.
Praça dos Três Poderes - Wikipedia
Shorts
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Praça dos Três Poderes - Brasília DFBike do Cerrado Goiás
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Notícia PRAÇA DOS TRÊS PODERES? CONGRESSO NACIONAL/ Brasília DF Espel…Morada da Fabiana
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Pavilhão Nacional do Brasil, Praça do Três Poderes - Brasília-DFM A R C O S
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Praça dos 3 poderes Brasília DF BrasilJr.V Viagens & Turismo
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Brasília distrito federal praça dos três poderesandre Maciel brasil
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Praça dos Três Poderes em BrasíliaLUGARES
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Praça Dos Três Poderes Brasília DF Conhecendo O Mundo!
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Praça dos três Poderes em BrasíliaRodolfo Delmond
History
Juscelino Kubitschek launched the project for a new capital in 1956. Lúcio Costa conceived the square in his competition entry for the Pilot Plan, and his design was announced as the winner in 1957. Construction began in 1958 with Oscar Niemeyer and Joaquim Cardozo, and Kubitschek opened the square on 21 April 1960. The flag monument was built under the military regime of Emílio Garrastazu Médici by Sérgio Bernardes, and it drew criticism for a long time. UNESCO listed the Plano Piloto, including the square's design, in 1987.
- 1956The square is designed alongside the pilot plan of the new capital.
- 1957Lúcio Costa's winning design is announced.
- 1958Construction begins to Lúcio Costa's plans, with Oscar Niemeyer and Joaquim Cardozo.
- 1960Juscelino Kubitschek opens the square on 21 April, together with the new capital.
- 1987UNESCO lists the Plano Piloto, which includes the square's design.
Show all
- 2023Supporters of Jair Bolsonaro storm the square and its three main buildings.
Sources: Praça dos Três Poderes - Wikipedia · Brasilia - Wikivoyage (see) · Praça dos Três Poderes - Wikipedia · Place des Trois-Pouvoirs - Wikipedia · checked 25 Oct 2026
Questions and answers
Where is Praca dos Tres Poderes in Brasilia?
It stands at the eastern end of the Eixo Monumental, an 8 km axis lined with most ministries. The square is ringed by Congress, the Planalto palace and the Supreme Federal Court.
Why is it called Praca dos Tres Poderes?
The name comes from the three branches of government around the square. The Planalto palace houses the executive, Congress the legislature and the Supreme Federal Court the judiciary.
How big is Praca dos Tres Poderes?
The square is a rectangular space of about 120 by 220 metres. Its 105 m flagpole carries a national flag of 286 square metres.
When does the sun rise between the towers of Congress at Praca dos Tres Poderes?
The Monumental Axis is aligned so the sun rises between the two Congress towers on 21 April.
Is there a model of Brasilia to see at Praca dos Tres Poderes?
Yes. The Espaço Lúcio Costa is an underground space reached by an elegant concrete staircase, and it holds a 179 m² scale model of the city.
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