Brasília Sights

Memorial JK

#1 of 42 things to do in Brasília

#33 of 2427 things to do in Brazil

1 reviews | Write a review

Good for: living history, cultural discovery, understanding culture, nation

  • Address
  • Phone
    • 061 3226 7860
  • Price
    • admission R$4
  • Hours
    • 9am-6pm Tue-Sun

Correct these details

Lonely Planet review for Memorial JK

The tomb of JK (President Juscelino Kubitschek) lies underneath eerily beautiful stained glass by French artist Marianne Peretti inside the Memorial JK. The museum houses JK’s 3000-book-strong personal library as well as a pictorial history of Brasília. Don’t miss his 1973 Ford Galaxie just outside the back door.

 

Traveller reviews for Memorial JK (1)

  • Avatar
    To write a review sign in, register or   Connect_light_large_long
    Recommend
     
    Add your experience “ ”
    Say more…
  • Avatar

    JK was a political rock-star

    ariberman recommends this,

    The man had guts.. Moved the capital away from the mobsters, created a social system that worked - he had an unfortunate 'accident' that ended his life but cemented his legend.

    Examine the collection of special political visas for leaders around the world. JK, unlike many leaders of the time understood and embraced distant partners and friends. His visitors included much of S.America's leaders, European heads of state, ministers of state of Canada and President Eisenhower of the USA. They came for the commodities, but remained friends for other reasons. Brazil has been an ally since before WWII and committed and lost mariners to support Western freedoms. Friends continue to remember who helped pay for the freedom.

    The collection of artifacts from JK's and his wife, Sara's personal effects and those items they touched in the course of their professional lives provide a colourful narrative of gentil and caring people intent on helping the people of Brazil. JK was a conservative man. His clothing demonstrates a focus on the essentials - not frivolity. Gifts to the president are similarly modest and suggest his support was not purchased but rather was what was important for the country at the time.

    Woven into the details about JK - the man, is the story of the design and creation of Brasilia. Evolving sketches, photo images document many of the design choices made by the Niemeyer team, who purpose built each of the major components of the city's buildings, roads and services.

    JK lays entombed in granite on the second floor of the museum, surrounded by a stone rotunda where visitors can enter and pause over the man who created the new Brazil. In contrast to the rest of the dramatic exhibit, but in keeping with his nature, his resting place is solemn and remains reverent despite the comings and goings of many school children and tourists outside the rotunda.

    The JK Memorial is an essential part of a visit to Brasilia - a city that is completely different from any other and one that changed the perception of Brazil to the world.

    Good for: living history, cultural discovery, understanding culture, nation

    report