Government Building sights in South America
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A
Congresso Nacional
Featuring the photogenic ‘dishes’ and twin towers, the congress building, Congresso Nacional, is one of the more interesting buildings on the inside as well. In addition to the color-coded chambers of the Senate (blue) and House of Representatives (green) – so ’60s gauche – there is an architecturally interesting ‘Tunnel of Time’ and an exhibit of antique Senate benches and microphones from 1867. The convex dome on the roof of the House of Representatives is supposed to signify that membership is open to all ideologies.
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Palacio de Justicia
the Palacio de Justicia is a massive, rather styleless edifice serving as the seat of the Supreme Court. The Palace of Justice has had quite a tragic history. The first court building, erected in 1921 on the corner of Calle 11 and Carrera 6, was burnt down by a mob during El Bogotazo in April 1948. A modern building was then constructed on Plaza de Bolívar, but in 1985 it was taken by M-19 guerrillas and gutted by fire in a fierce 28-hour offensive by the army in an attempt to reclaim it.
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Palacio de San Carlos
A block north, on the south side of Calle 10 is the massive edifice of Palacio de San Carlos, which has seen a few lives, notably as the presidential HQ of Simón Bolívar, who narrowly escaped an assassination attempt here in 1828, when his friend-with-privileges Manuelita Sáenz tipped him off and became known in Bogotá circles as ‘the liberator of the liberator.’ A (dramatically worded) sign in Latin under his window (to the right) retells it.
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Asemblea Nacional
As part of his mad dash toward modernization in the 1870s, Guzmán Blanco commissioned an ambitious, neoclassical seat of congress, the National Assembly, to occupy the entire block just southwest of Plaza Bolívar. It was formerly known as the Capitolio Nacional. The two-building complex was erected on the site of a convent, whose occupants were promptly expelled by the dictator and their convent razed.
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Estação da Luz
Across the street from the park sits Estação da Luz, a classic late-Victorian train station constructed with materials entirely shipped in from Britain and completed in 1901. It too has been returned to its original splendor. It services São Paulo's extensive suburban lines, with a long tunnel linking it to the Luz metro station.
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Prefectura de Chuquisaca
For the best view in town, inquire at the national police office inside the wedding cake-like Prefectura de Chuquisaca, next to the cathedral. If they're in a good mood, they might take you up to the cupola of the building for free. Note the murals depicting the struggle for Bolivian independence as you come upstairs.
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Congreso Nacional
One of Valpo’s only modern landmarks is the controversial Congreso Nacional, in the east of El Plan. Its roots lie in Pinochet’s presidency both literally and legislatively: it was built on one of his boyhood homes, mandated by his 1980 constitution (which moved the legislature away from Santiago).
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Casa de Nariño
Beyond the Capitolio Nacional is the Casa de Nariño, a neoclassical palacelike building erected at the beginning of the 20th century. It was the official home of presidents from 1908, but in 1948 it was attacked and damaged after the assassination of Jorge Eliécer Gaitán and only restored in 1979.
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Palácio de la Ravardière
Next door to the Palácio dos Leões, the Palácio de la Ravardière is the Prefeitura (City Hall) and dates back to 1689. A bust of São Luís’ French founder, Daniel de la Touche, stands before it.
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Edificio Liévano
The whole western side of Plaza de Bolívar is taken over by the French-style Edificio Liévano, which is now home to the Alcaldía (mayor's office). The building was erected between 1902 and 1905.
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Cabildo
The lovably knobbly cabildo is famous for its clocktower, where a life-size figure of San Francisco Solano emerges at noon to deliver a benediction. Be sure to arrive early; the clock is erratic.
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Tomás Antônio Gonzaga's house
Now the seat of the municipal government, Tomás Antônio Gonzaga's house is where Gonzaga and the other Inconfidentes conspired to put an end to Portuguese rule in Brazil.
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Casa de Gobierno
The vast Casa de Gobierno was built in 1909 and replaced the demolished colonial cabildo (town council), seat of the 1852 constitutional assembly.
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Palácio da Justiça
Outside the Palácio da Justiça, water cascades between its arches into a koi fish pond; inside is a lovely internal garden. Don't show up in shorts or Havaianas.
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San Felipe Neri Convent
The view from the bell tower and tiled rooftop of the San Felipe Neri convent more than explains Sucre’s nickname of the ‘White City of the Americas.’
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Sociedad Protectora de Empleados de Tarapacá
The 1913 Sociedad Protectora de Empleados de Tarapacá is historically significant as one of the country’s first labor union buildings.
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Casa de Gobierno
The provincial Casa de Gobierno is otherwise known as government house and is on the northern side of the main plaza.
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Parliament Building
At the south end of Ave of the Republic is the well-kept Dutch period Parliament Building, built in 1834.
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Câmara Municipal
Câmara Municipal is a 17th-century city hall, which occasionally puts on cultural exhibitions.
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Cabildo
On the north side of Plaza Belgrano is the Cabildo, an impressive building and colonnade.
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Legislatura Provincial
The 1894 Legislatura Provincial was the governor’s official residence.
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Tribunales
Tribunales was built as a result of González Videla’s Plan Serena.
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