The Brazilian flag flying above the plaza

Praça dos Três Poderes (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈpɾasɐdusˈtɾe(j)spoˈdeɾis]) or Three Powers Plaza (more idiomatically Three Branches Plaza) is a plaza in Brasília, the capital of Brazil. The name is derived from the presence of the three branches of government around the plaza: the Executive, represented by the Palácio do Planalto (presidential office); the Legislative represented by the National Congress of Brazil; and the Judiciary, represented by the Supreme Federal Court.

The plaza was designed by Lúcio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer as a place where the three powers would meet harmoniously. It is now also a tourist attraction.

The plaza is home to the largest flag in the world to be flown regularly (in this case, continuously). The Brazilian flag hoisted weighs about 90 kilograms (200 pounds) and has never been taken down (not counting monthly replacements) since the capital was inaugurated on 21 April 1960. The flag is changed monthly in the presence of Presidential Guard Battalion, Independence Dragoons, other troops and sometimes the President of Brazil.

On 8 January 2023, the plaza was stormed by supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro.

On 13 November 2024, there was a pair of explosions near the plaza. One death was recorded, that of the suspect, and there were no injuries.

Partial view of the Praçados Três Poderes with the Brazilian flag and Os Candangos sculpture
Three Powers Square
Numbers in image correspond to numbers in list of landmarks, museums and other features below.
1Visitor Center
2Dovecote by Oscar Niemeyer
3Supreme Federal Court Palace
4Sculpture The Justice by Alfredo Ceschiatti
5Espaço Lúcio Costa Museum
6Chamber of Deputies Annex IV Building (in the background)
7City Museum
8Israel Pinheiro monument
9Itamaraty Palace (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the background)
10Ministries Esplanade (in the background)
11UNESCO Monument
12National Congress Building
12aChamber of Deputies Tower
12bSenate Tower
13TV Tower (in the background)
14Sculpture The Warriors (or "The Candangos") by Bruno Giorgi
15Senate Annex II Building (in the background)
16Palácio do Planalto Building
Panoramic view of the Praça dos Três Poderes

See also

External links

  • (in Portuguese) – GUIABSB
  • – from YouTube

15°48′03″S 47°51′41″W/15.80083°S 47.86139°W/ -15.80083; -47.86139