Monument to the Dead of World War II

The Monument to the Dead of World War II (Portuguese: Monumento Nacional aos Mortos da Segunda Guerra Mundial), also the Monument to the Brazilian Soldiers of World War II, commemorates Brazil's participation and losses in the Second World War (WWII).

For other uses, see World War II Memorial.
Monument to the Dead of World War II
Monumento Nacional aos Mortos da Segunda Guerra Mundial
Concrete portal sculpture and granite statue (foreground), and metal sculpture (background), at the "Monument to the Dead of World War II" in Flamengo Park
Coordinates
LocationRio de Janeiro, Brazil
DesignerMark Netto Konder and Helio Ribas Marinho
Height31 metres (102 ft)
Completion date1960
National Historic Heritage of Brazil
Designated1583
Reference no.2009

It is located in Flamengo Park (also known as Aterro do Flamengo and Parque Eduardo Gomes) on Guanabara Bay, in the Flamengo neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Panorama of the monument, Glória neighbourhood, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Features

Buildings

The below grade mausoleum holds the remains of 467 servicemen of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force who died in action in Italy during World War II. They were buried at the Brazilian Military Cemetery of Pistoia in Tuscany Italy, until repatriated in 1960. The Tuscan site now honors the servicemen with the Brazilian Monument and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of World War II, designed by Olavo Redig de Campos.

Long low stone peninsulas support rows the simple marble tablets of the fallen, in a serene minimalist manner. [1]

An adjacent large space has permanent exhibits, films, and documentaries relating to the participation of Brazil in the European Theater of WWII, images of personnel and equipment of the era, and l[1]

A long 70 metres (230 ft) by 12 metres (39 ft) glass bottomed fountain pool above the mausoleum allows natural light and cools the interior temperature. [2]

Artworks

The "Monument to the Dead of World War II" was designed by architects Mark Netto Konder and Helio Ribas Marinho, the winners of a national competition. The monument construction was completed in 1960.

The primary vertical feature is the monumental portal, an abstract memorial sculpture of formed concrete, that is 31 metres (102 ft) tall.[2]

Other artworks at the Monument include:

  • the granite statue by Alfredo Ceschiatti — honoring the personnel of Brazil's land, sea, and air forces. [2]
  • the metal abstract sculpture by Júlio Catelli Filho — honoring the Brazilian Air Force. [2]
  • the tile mosaic wall mural (1959) by Anisio Medeiros — honoring those of both the navy and merchant marine who died at sea. [2]

Flamengo Park—adjacent

See also
  • Brazilian Military Cemetery of Pistoia — "Brazilian Monument and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of World War II" in Italy.
  • Brazil in World War II
  • Monuments and memorials in Brazil
  • Modernist architecture in Brazil

References
  1. Monumento Nacional aos Mortos da Segunda Guerra Mundial website: "Visitacao"—(in Portuguese)
  2. Monumento Nacional aos Mortos da Segunda Guerra Mundial website: "Estrutura"—(in Portuguese)
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