Brasília stands as one of the most unique modern experiments in planned urban growth. Built in the late 1950s, this bold capital city replaced Rio de Janeiro and redefined mid-century architecture.
This quiz looks at the masterminds behind the layout, the iconic buildings designed by Oscar Niemeyer, and the major political milestones of its rapid construction.
Once you finish, explore our quizzes on UNESCO architecture, read about modern urban design, or test your memory on world capitals.
What city was the capital of Brazil before it moved to Brasília in 1960?
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Belo Horizonte
Belo Horizonte
São Paulo
São Paulo
Salvador
Salvador
Which Brazilian President is credited with the ambitious development and construction of Brasília?
Fernando Collor de Mello
Fernando Collor de Mello
Getúlio Vargas
Getúlio Vargas
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Juscelino Kubitschek
Juscelino Kubitschek
In urban planning terms, what is the primary shape of the Pilot Plan (Plano Piloto) of Brasília?
The Shape of an Airplane
The Shape of an Airplane
The Shape of a Turtle
The Shape of a Turtle
The Shape of a Shield
The Shape of a Shield
The Shape of a Star
The Shape of a Star
Who was the primary urban planner responsible for the original design of the city layout?
Paulo Mendes da Rocha
Paulo Mendes da Rocha
Oscar Niemeyer
Oscar Niemeyer
Roberto Burle Marx
Roberto Burle Marx
Lúcio Costa
Lúcio Costa
Designed by Oscar Niemeyer, which iconic building in Brasília features 16 hyperboloid columns?
A museum
A museum
A national theater
A national theater
A stadium
A stadium
A cathedral
A cathedral
In what year was Brasília officially inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site?
1985
1985
1989
1989
1991
1991
1987
1987
What is the name of the central east-west axis that runs through the fuselage of the city layout?
The Eixo Monumental
The Eixo Monumental
The Congresso Nacional
The Congresso Nacional
The Praça dos Três Poderes
The Praça dos Três Poderes
The Esplanada dos Ministérios
The Esplanada dos Ministérios
Oscar Niemeyer is renowned for utilizing which two materials to define his modernist architectural style in Brasília?
Marble and steel
Marble and steel
Granite and wood
Granite and wood
Adobe and clay
Adobe and clay
Concrete and glass
Concrete and glass
What is the official purpose of the Alvorada Palace?
Presidential residence
Presidential residence
Legislative palace
Legislative palace
Judicial palace
Judicial palace
Ministry of defense
Ministry of defense
Which building serves as the official workplace of the President of Brazil?
The Palace of Justice
The Palace of Justice
The Palace of the Congress
The Palace of the Congress
The Palace of the Planalto
The Palace of the Planalto
The Palace of the Dawn
The Palace of the Dawn
What artificial lake was created to increase humidity levels and landscape the city?
Lake Sobradinho
Lake Sobradinho
Lake Itaipu
Lake Itaipu
Lake Tucuruí
Lake Tucuruí
Lake Paranoá
Lake Paranoá
What term is specifically used to describe the construction workers who migrated to the interior to build Brasília?
Mineiro
Mineiro
Paulista
Paulista
Carioca
Carioca
Candango
Candango
Which building in Brasília is famous for its reflecting pool and the ‘Meteor’ sculpture?
The Superior Court of Justice
The Superior Court of Justice
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs building
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs building
The Metropolitan Cathedral
The Metropolitan Cathedral
The National Library
The National Library
What was the slogan used by President Juscelino Kubitschek to promote Brasília’s rapid construction?
30 years in 5
30 years in 5
50 years in 10
50 years in 10
40 years in 5
40 years in 5
50 years in 5
50 years in 5
What does the transparent glass facade of the Planalto Palace symbolize in its modernist architecture?
Colonial history and heritage
Colonial history and heritage
Military power and strength
Military power and strength
Democratic transparency and openness
Democratic transparency and openness
Religious devotion and faith
Religious devotion and faith
What is the function of the Praça dos Três Poderes (Square of the Three Powers)?
The plaza surrounding the seats of the three government branches
The plaza surrounding the seats of the three government branches
A bridge connecting the city’s two main axes
A bridge connecting the city’s two main axes
The location of the city’s oldest cemetery
The location of the city’s oldest cemetery
The entrance to the city’s main train station
The entrance to the city’s main train station
During which period was the majority of major construction for Brasília completed?
1961–1965
1961–1965
1951–1955
1951–1955
1966–1970
1966–1970
1956–1960
1956–1960
Which landscape architect was responsible for the tropical gardens and landscape design in Brasília?
Oscar Niemeyer
Oscar Niemeyer
Roberto Burle Marx
Roberto Burle Marx
Athos Bulcão
Athos Bulcão
Lúcio Costa
Lúcio Costa
Approximately how many people were counted living in the Federal District during Brasília’s inauguration in 1960?
90,000
90,000
190,000
190,000
140,000
140,000
240,000
240,000
Which famous artist designed many of the iconic geometric tile murals (azulejos) in Brasília’s public buildings?
Roberto Burle Marx
Roberto Burle Marx
Alfredo Volpi
Alfredo Volpi
Athos Bulcão
Athos Bulcão
Candido Portinari
Candido Portinari
Which major landmark in Brasília is an asymmetrical steel-arch bridge spanning Lake Paranoá?
The Golden Gate Bridge of Brazil
The Golden Gate Bridge of Brazil
The Pilot Bridge
The Pilot Bridge
The Niemeyer Memorial Bridge
The Niemeyer Memorial Bridge
The Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge
The Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge
Which urban planning feature is characteristic of the ‘Pilot Plan’ to ensure efficient traffic flow?
A residential hotel model for civil servants
A residential hotel model for civil servants
A layout based on high-density subterranean housing
A layout based on high-density subterranean housing
A strict car-free city center
A strict car-free city center
Separation of traffic through layered highway systems
Separation of traffic through layered highway systems
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