pampulha
states: [brazil]
category: cultural
year: 2016
region: Latin America and the Caribbean
latitude/longitude: -19.8519444444, -43.9736111111
last visited: 2025
unesco id: 1493
world heritage site: 1493
The Pampulha Modern Ensemble, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Brazil, is a striking showcase of mid-20th-century modernist architecture and design. This innovative complex, centered around an artificial lake, features bold works by architect Oscar Niemeyer, including the São Francisco de Assis Church with its distinctive curves, alongside contributions from artist Cândido Portinari and landscape designer Roberto Burle Marx. Recognized for its pioneering blend of art, architecture, and nature, it marks a pivotal moment in Brazil’s cultural and architectural evolution.