The church bears much importance in the society, so the design had to have significance and personality against its surroundings. Oscar Niemeyer was sure to make a statement with the powerful expression and unique form of it, which led to his acceptance of the Pritzker Prize in 1988.
The cornerstone was laid in early September of 1958, when designs were beginning to be proposed and thoroughly planned out by Oscar Niemeyer. With a diameter of 70m, the only visible structure of the cathedral being sixteen concrete columns with a very peculiar shape. Reaching up towards the sky to represent two hands, the columns have parabolic sections.These represent the Evangelists and were made with the help of Dante Croce in 1968. More sculptures can be seen inside the nave, where three angels are suspended by steel cables. Ranging in size from 2.22 to 4.25m long and weighing 100kg-300kg each.Hand-painted ceramic tiles cover the walls of the oval-shaped Baptistery.
