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Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora Aparecida: A Modernist Masterpiece
Espaço Lucio Costa: A Tribute to Brasília's Visionary
Explore the vision of Lúcio Costa, the architect behind Brasília's innovative urban plan, at this underground museum in the heart of the capital.
Espaço Lucio Costa, located beneath the Praça dos Três Poderes in Brasília, is a museum dedicated to Lúcio Costa, the urban planner who designed the city. The museum showcases the original urban plan and provides insight into the construction of Brazil's capital.
Plan your visit
A brief summary to Espaço Lucio Costa
Opening times, essentials, and a few local tips gathered into one calmer, easier-to-scan planning section.
Plan your visit
Tuesday
9 am-6 pm
Wednesday
9 am-6 pm
Thursday
9 am-6 pm
Friday
9 am-6 pm
Saturday
9 am-5 pm
Sunday
9 am-5 pm
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Getting There
Walking
Espaço Lucio Costa is located beneath the Praça dos Três Poderes. From anywhere on the plaza, follow signs for the Centro Cultural Três Poderes (CC3P). The museum entrance is near the commemorative plaque for 'Brasília Monument of Humanity'. The entrance is marked by a wide staircase.
Public Transport
From Brasília's central bus station (Rodoviária), take a bus to the Esplanada dos Ministérios. From there, walk towards the Praça dos Três Poderes. Alternatively, take the Metro to the 'Constituição' station, which is about a 15-minute walk to the Praça. Bus fare is approximately R$3.80 , and a metro ticket costs R$5.50.
Taxi/Ride-Share
Taxis and ride-sharing services (Uber, 99) are readily available in Brasília. A taxi from the Brasília Airport (BSB) to the Praça dos Três Poderes costs around R$46.00. A short taxi ride from the city center to the Praça dos Três Poderes will likely cost between R$25 and R$35, depending on traffic.
Local tips
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Visit early in the day to avoid crowds and have a more intimate experience with the exhibits.
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Combine your visit with a tour of the Praça dos Três Poderes to fully appreciate the architectural context.
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Check the museum's schedule for lectures or workshops related to architecture and urban planning.
Discover more about Espaço Lucio Costa
Espaço Lucio Costa is a tribute to the visionary architect and urban planner, Lúcio Costa, who won the national competition to design the Pilot Plan for Brasília. Inaugurated in 1992, the museum is located underground in the Praça dos Três Poderes (Three Powers Plaza), a symbolic center where the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Brazilian government converge. The museum was designed by Oscar Niemeyer.
The museum's centerpiece is a large model of Brasília, offering a bird's-eye view of Costa's urban plan. Surrounding the model is a gallery displaying copies of Costa's original sketches and the Pilot Plan report presented to the international jury in 1957. Historical photographs document the construction and inauguration of the city, providing context to Costa's vision.
Espaço Lucio Costa offers visitors a chance to understand the principles of Brazilian modernist architecture and urban development. The exhibits detail Costa's concept for community living and the innovative approach to urban planning that shaped Brasília. The museum also hosts workshops, lectures, and temporary exhibitions that foster discussions about architecture and urbanism.
A brief summary to Espaço Lucio Costa
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