Soaring gracefully above St Louis in a weighted catenary curve shape, this stainless steel arch was designed by Eero Saarinen in a response to a desire to revive the riverfront and memorialize the nation’s push towards the west. The final section at its top was secured in October 1965; trams to and from its pinnacle were operational shortly afterwards and run every 5 to 10 minutes.
22. Cathedral of Brasília
Designed by Oscar Niemeyer, this Roman Catholic cathedral comprises 16 concrete columns, arranged in a hyperboloid structure. These columns are said to represent hands reaching up to heaven in an open gesture; most of the cathedral itself is actually below ground. Four bronze ‘guardian’ Evangelist sculptures can be seen near the entrance; nearby, the ovoid Baptistery is covered in white ceramic tiles.
