Refreshed:September 2026
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian in Rio de Janeiro is certainly one of the most unusual cathedrals I have visited.
From the outside, I wasn’t particularly impressed. In fact, if I am being truthful, I didn’t think it was much to look at! But the moment I stepped inside, my opinion completely changed.
The cathedral has a distinctive cone-shaped design, which reminded me of the Mayan pyramids I had seen in Mexico, particularly Chichen Itza. It certainly isn’t what you expect a traditional Roman Catholic cathedral to look like.
It shares the same name as the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires that also has an unusual design, that of a Greek Temple.
Like the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires in Argentina, the Metropolitan Cathedral in Rio is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church in Rio.
What a difference when you step inside
As soon as I entered, I was struck by the sheer size of the interior. It was awesome!
Like many people inside the cathedral, I didn’t feel like moving. I was quite content just to stand still for a while, looking around and taking everything in.
The enormous stained-glass windows were simply beautiful. Their colours stood out dramatically against the grey concrete walls and completely transformed the interior.
I found the design fascinating. The concrete structure seemed almost as though huge sections had been stacked together, yet somehow it worked. It was unusual, certainly, but surprisingly beautiful.
Another striking feature is the huge wooden cross suspended above the altar. With the height of the cathedral and the stained glass rising behind it, there is certainly plenty to make you stop and look.
The museum
There is also a museum in the basement of the cathedral displaying religious artefacts and items connected with the history of the Catholic Church.
I had intended only to have a quick look around but, as often happens with me, I became interested and stayed much longer than planned!
The statues outside
There were also a couple of statues in the cathedral grounds that caught my attention.
One was a statue of a woman which I initially thought might have been Mother Teresa. There was no inscription or information that I could see, so I couldn’t be certain who it represented.
The second sculpture was even more thought-provoking. It showed a figure lying on a bench, covered by a cloth, with wounds visible on the feet. I understood the figure to represent Jesus.
While I was there, a homeless man knelt beside the sculpture and began to weep and pray. I don’t know what he was praying for, of course, but watching him beside that particular sculpture was quite moving.
If you are in Rio de Janeiro, it is worth making the time to visit this unusual and magnificent Cathedral.
Worth a visit?
Definitely.
The Metropolitan Cathedral wasn’t one of the places I expected to remember particularly strongly from my time in Rio, but the interior completely surprised me.
If you are visiting Rio de Janeiro, make time to step inside. Don’t judge this cathedral by its exterior. I nearly did and I would have been very wrong!
Have you ever visited a building that looked ordinary from the outside but completely surprised you once you stepped inside?
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The pictures are very clear. Lovely…
Ahh great thank you. I am glad to hear it. I try to select the best photos from the many hundreds of photos that I take!Lol.
Quite sick myself today so extra happy to find this while trying to reach my cousin Gillian for help. You are incredible Molly. So happy for you,
Thank you very much Aunty Rosemary. You are my inspiration. I pray that I reach your ripe old age of 100 years! Get well soon.
Lots of love, hugs and kisses xx