Parque Ibirapuera, São Paulo

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Designed in 1954, but built only in 2005, Auditório Ibirapuera is the work of the famous architect Oscar Niemeyer. The ultra-modern music hall is considered one of the best venues for concerts in São Paulo. It is located within Parque do Ibirapuera.

Very nice park, with a large lake in the middle, walking and biking paths, street performers, and a small museum within the park. A great place to relax, just be aware that on the weekends it is especially crowded and parking is very difficult.

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São Paulo's largest park, Parque do Ibirapuera, was conceived in the 1920's when the mayor at the time decided to create a public green space for the city. It took a few decades, until 1954, to finally inaugurate the park and open it to the public. The famous landscaper, Roberto Burle Marx took on the project of shaping the park, while the renowned architect, Oscar Niemeyer, designed several pavilions and halls within the park, destined to house some of the city's best cultural and art establishments. The result is an incredible collection of modern architecture amid beautifully landscaped gardens. Parque do Ibirapuera to São Paulo is what "Hyde Park" is to London or "Central Park" is to New York. The beautifully landscaped garden is a major attraction for the locals who come here for sports, the arts, or family excursions. It is worth noting that the park is completely safe.

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Yet another building in Parque do Ibirapuera designed by Oscar Niemeyer, the Pavilhão da Bienal de Artes was built in 1957. It serves both as the Museu de Arte Contemporânea (MAC), the Contemporary Art Museum, and a temporary exhibition hall. Recurring fashion and art exhibitions take place in this very building. The building is located within Parque do Ibirapuera, among other art-dedicated modern edifices.

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Officially called Pavilhão Lucas Nogueira Garcez, this spherical structure hosts temporary art shows and exhibitions. After it was built in 1954, it became a museum for a while before being converted into a temporary exhibition hall. It was designed by the famous architect Oscar Niemeyer to resemble an "oca", the traditional Native American dwelling, which earned it the nickname "Oca do Ibirapuera".

Located just outside Parque do Ibirapuera, this expressive monument is dedicated to those who explored the interior of Brazil in the 17th century, the Bandeirantes. The name, Monumento às Bandeiras, literally means "monument to the flags" in reference to Bandeirantes, i.e. "those who follow the flags", which was the name used to refer to these private explorers. The monument was sculpted in 1950 by the Brazilian Victor Brecheret.

Also referred to as Obelisco do Ibirapuera, this 72-metre marble obelisk was inaugurated in 1955 in honour of the martyrs of the 1932 Constitutional Revolution. Work on the actual obelisk was begun in 1947, but was not completed until 1970, well after the inauguration. The design is attributed to Galileo Ugo Emendabili, and Italo-Brazilian sculptor. The obelisk is located just outside Parque do Ibirapuera.

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Founded in 1948, Museu de Arte Moderna (MAM) was South America's first modern art museum. It is located within Parque do Ibirapuera in a building designed by Lina Bo Bardi. Outside the museum is an enchanting sculpture garden with intriguing modern sculptures by various accomplished artists. When I visited São Paulo in early Jan 2009, MAM was unfortunately closed for the holidays. Luckily, access to the sculpture garden was permitted, so it had to suffice.

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Located within Parque de Ibirapuera, the Museu Afrobrasil is housed in Pavilhão Manoel da Nóbrega, a building designed by Oscar Niemeyer in 1953. The museum opened in 2004 and is dedicated to African arts and culture within Brazil since the 16th century.

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Ibirapuera is the largest park in São Paulo with museums, exhibition spaces, planetary theater, japanese cultural space, picnic and sports area (basketball, skating, soccer, running, cycling, etc.).

I like to go there to walk, take pictures or to hear good music on free concerts. It´s kind of crowded on weekends reaching 130.000 visitors on Sundays.