Palace of Justice

–Everywhere around Brasília you can see its bold architecture. For example, you have the National Congress buildings, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and other eye-catching structures. This new city in Brazil replaced Rio de Janeiro as the nation’s capital in 1960. Another beautiful structural example is the Palace of Justice (or Palácio da Justiça, in Portuguese). It is the office of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. It officially opened in 1972. As with all the buildings in Brasília, the famous architect Oscar Niemeyer is responsible for its conception. The building’s main façade displays arches and artificial waterfalls coming out of concrete gutters. The modern arches are a rereading of the Gothic style. Landscaping around the palace brings Roberto Burle Marx’s signature. It utilizes plants from the central plains of Brazil along with aquatic tropical plants from the Amazon in the surrounding pools.