Feeling blue? Visit the Dom Bosco Sanctuary
The altar (running along the bottom) is made from a 10-ton block of marble
In 1883, an Italian saint named Dom Bosco dreamt of a utopian city of the future. He described it as a capital city that would rule justly and provide for the needs of a great nation. He said this city would be located in the New World, between the 15th and 20th parallels.
In a way his dream started to come true with the creation of Brasilia in 1960.
This new capital, built in Brazil’s interior, marked a certain coming of age for Brazil and the New World.
The chandelier is lit only at night
Twelve shades of blue, plus small bits of white
Recent protests confirm that the city (actually the nation’s politicians) may not always rule justly and provide for everyone’s needs, the city is positioned between the 15th and 20th parallels, and the Dom Bosco Sanctuary was built exactly on the 15th parallel.
The sanctuary is a tribute to the saint and what an eye-turner it is. The outside looks like an ordinary concrete box, but the interior is a wondrous space.
Designed by Claudio Naves, all four walls are made of stained glass (mostly 12 shades of blue), interspersed with small white squares. Each corner has a column of rose-coloured glass. In all there are 2200 square metres of glass. And I was especially impressed to notice that some of the windows open for ventilation. Nice planning.
The sanctuary is open 24 hours a day. The shrine is bathed in a heavenly blue during daylight hours; at night the interior is illuminated by a massive chandelier. It has 7400 pieces of Murano glass and was created by architect, Alvimar Moreira.
As with the Metropolitan Cathedral, Poor John and I could merely sit and gaze in wonder at this beautiful room. And once again, we were the only people from the truck who made it there.
Where to next? 
G’day and OH MY GOODNESS Peggy, true!
How magnificent and thank you for lifting my spirits and brightening my day too!
Cheers! Joanne WHOO HOO!
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So glad you enjoyed the stop! 🙂
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What a gorgeous place! Thanks for sharing.
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My pleasure indeed. It’s a place that has to be shared.
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Oh, what a lovely and peaceful sanctuary.
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I think one of the reasons it’s so peaceful is that everyone is speechless.
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Oh, Peggy, what a peaceful sanctuary. It must have been a jolt back to reality when you stepped back outside.
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I’m glad I took so many pictures so I can revisit the sanctuary as often as I like. It really was wondrous.
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Wow, that is just magnificent! Thanks for sharing, Peggy.
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So glad you enjoyed it.
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What a brilliant piece of architecture, and (I can only imagine) a very spiritual place!
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It sure is. I must return one day so I can see the chandelier illuminated.
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Wow. Just plain WOW!
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I know! 🙂
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Blue on Blue what a wonderful View…. Cool… Cool Blue! There might be restrictions on wearing shorts in some locations… but at least no restrictions taking photos… so far? It is so great to see your photos and read your commentary on places I would have never known about… if it were not for your blog. Thanks “Shorty” LOL
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I’m pleased so many places allow photos—almost always without flash, but that’s fine by me. Plus, I try to do a little research on each place without just linking to Wikipedia or some other site. I figure it makes a whole ‘package’.
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wowwww…. what a place man.. amazing..glittering blue looking very beautiful…
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Thanks Deepti. The sanctuary really is amazingly beautiful.
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