The Panteão da Pátria e da Liberdade Tancredo Neves (Tancredo Neves Pantheon of the Fatherland and Freedom) is a dove-shaped memorial that pays tribute to national heroes such as former Prime Minister Tancredo Neves. The site was designed by famous Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer and sits in the Three Powers Plaza alongside other significant landmarks. Explore the monument’s three floors and exhibition area to learn more about the country’s former leader.
Tancredo Neves was Brazil’s first democratically elected president following the country’s military dictatorship. He fell ill on the eve of taking office in 1985 and died shortly after, having never assumed the role.
Visit the exhibition area dedicated to Neves. Browse photographs and documents and watch films that cover his time as a frontline politician. Stand before the 44-foot (13.5-metre) long Wall of Liberty that commemorates the Minas Conspiracy. This was an 18th-century uprising against Portuguese rule when the country was a colony of Portugal.
Go to the Great Hall for the Book of Steel. Each metal page has the name of a national hero and their biography. Among the inclusions are Joaquim Jose da Silva Xavier, a key figure in the Minas Conspiracy, and aviation pioneer Alberto Santos Dumont. Also in the hall are stained-glass windows by French artist Marianne Peretti.
After you have toured the interior and its exhibits, stop before the sloping tower next to the pantheon. An eternal flame burns at the top of this structure.
The Panteão da Pátria e da Liberdade Tancredo Neves can be found alongside the Brasília National Museum in the Three Powers Plaza. The famous square sits by the eastern end of the National Congress and its scenic grounds. The square is easily accessible by bus or train.
The monument is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from morning until late in the afternoon and admission is free. Many other important attractions are located nearby, including the Monumental Axis and the Cathedral of Brasília.
