Some of the Rio Architecture

Rio de Janeiro's architecture is an interesting mix.  It shows the important phases of Rio's growth.  A number of colonial architecture, in phases.
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To the left is one of the churches built in a very gothic style.  This particular church is right off the main square.  When the Portuguese Royal Family fled Napoleon they took the church as a private church for the Royal Family only.
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There are lots of other Gothic type church examples.
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This is the Portuguese Literacy Center - which is the library I showcased from Rio last week.  It is in a very Portuguese Imperial Style.

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This is the Central Bank.  It is in a very Federal / Greek Revival / Edwardian style favored by governments around the world.

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These two pictures both show a style that is shared by New Orleans and Havana.  There are even many examples of this in Australia.  There are cool buildings all over.

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Right off one of the squares at the Centro Metro Stop are these 2 buildings side by side.  They are apartment towers from the 50s/60s next to an early Deco high rise.

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This Deco building was in horrible repair.  But the lines are gorgeous!

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This is the new Catholic Cathedral downtown.  It is meant to evoke a Mayan Temple (why a Mayan Temple in the middle of Brazil - who knows).  If you select this picture to expand it, you can see the Christo statue on the mountain between the Cathedral and the Bell Tower.

Now I had never been in the Cathedral before.  This time I went in and saw the 4 stained glass windows that are beautiful.  All chairs are arraigned towards center.  Hanging from the ceiling right in the middle is the cross that the Preist says Mass underneath.  (At least I think all those are the right Catholic words.)