The official presidential residence, the Palácio da Alvorada is a Niemeyer building. It was the first edifice in the city to be inaugurated, in 1958, predating the inauguration of the city itself by two years. The name translates as ‘Palace of the Dawn,’ in reference to JK’s description of Brasília as ‘a new dawn in Brazilian history.’
The gates are marshaled by dapper Dragões da Independência (Dragons of the Independence) guards, from a special regiment of soldiers who date back to the War of Independence. Arrive early for one-hour Wednesday tours (cancelled if it's raining). Take bus 0.104 (R$1.50; every 30 minutes) from platform A16 in the local bus station.
