Jair Bolsonaro has been the president of the Federative Republic of Brazil since January 1, 2019, but that may change soon, as the Brazilian general elections kick off in October 2022 and the president has lost support during these last months. Until then, Bolsonaro will continue to live in the Palácio da Alvorada: a mansion located in Brasilia, the capital of the South American country.
This palatial house, similar to that of singer Julio Iglesias, has been the official residence of elected presidents in Brazil since 1958. It is a pillar of modern Brazilian architecture, which also has lines with the European movement. Below, you will discover what is the place of residence, at least for the moment, of Jair Bolsonaro.
The exterior of Jair Bolsonaro’s palace
The Palácio da Alvorada was designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, considered one of the most important in the development of modern architecture. It was built between 1957 and 1958, and the first thing we see from the outside is a mixture of simplicity and modernity. Its facade is one of the first things that catch the attention of visitors since it has marble columns that are reflected in the glass that covers the building and in the water in front of it, creating a landscape that will remain etched in your retina.
Outside we can enjoy the experience of seeing a mirror of water 60 centimetres deep, which reflects the Palace to perfection. This very particular mirror is decorated with a very beautiful sculptural set of two women called “As laras”, designed in bronze by the plastic artist Alfredo Ceschiatti, a renowned sculptor in Brazil. As you can see, the entrance of the Palácio da Alvorada is an excellent place to take pictures to remember.
Inside Bolsonaro’s residence
Jair Bolsonaro, at least for the time being, can enjoy a mansion with a total area of 7,000 square meters, distributed over three huge floors. In addition, in buildings adjacent to the Palace, you can visit a chapel or land your private plane or helicopter on a large heliport. Focusing on the interior of Bolsonaro’s property, in the basement, we find a games room that includes a billiards room, a private cinema, kitchen, laundry, medical centre and building administration.
As soon as we enter the Palácio da Alvorada, we find a red carpet and a completely golden wall that transmits the importance of its resident. We highlight two rooms in particular: the Salon Noble, a gigantic room lavishly decorated with first-class Brazilian artwork where Bolsonaro receives ministers and other guests; and the Salon Estado, an elaborate space where two sacred images stand out, “Saint Mary Magdalene” and “Saint Teresa of Avila”. Finally, this Palace can be visited as long as President Jair Bolsonaro is not present and only once a week.