Catedral de São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro (Catedral Metropolitana)

Catedral de São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro (Catedral Metropolitana) Review

The exterior of this circa-1960 metropolitan cathedral, which looks like a concrete beehive, can be off-putting. The daring modern design stands in sharp contrast to the baroque style of other churches. But don't judge until you've stepped inside. Outstanding stained-glass windows transform the interior—which is 80 meters (263 feet) high and 96 meters (315 feet) in diameter—into a warm yet serious place of worship that accommodates up to 20,000 people. An 8½-ton granite rock lends considerable weight to the concept of an altar.