The ceremony brought together several Chiefs of State and a huge public that crowded the Praça dos Três Poderes. The inauguration’s festivities started on the previous day.

The construction of the building started on 10 July 1958. Until its conclusion the headquarters of the Federal Government was in Catetinho Palace; a wood building launched on 31 October 1956 in the outskirts of Brasília.
 
Architecture

Architect Oscar Niemeyer’s project of Planalto Palace impresses for its pure lines and great dynamic power in which horizontal strokes dominate and curves and straight lines are used to create a highly sophisticated plastic effect.

The building fascinates for the beauty of its columns, defined by the architect as being: “Light as feathers landing on the ground”.  JK added that: “Planalto Palace resembles a glass box waiting for the orchids to be deposited within it.”

The gardens were designed by landscapist Roberto Burle Marx. In 1991 a pond was built in front and to the right of the building covering an area of approximately 1.635 square meters, holding 1.900 cubic meters of water, 1m10cm deep and 5 to 20 meters wide. Several Japanese carps decorate the pond.

The Palace is divided into four floors, with a total area of 36 thousand square meters and four annexes. The main block includes the following chambers:

    * The first floor houses the Gate and Reception services and the Press Committee.
    * The second floor includes the East, Noble and West Halls, the Meeting Room and the Press Secretariat.
    * The third floor houses the President’s Cabinet and those of his direct advisors.
    * The fourth and last floor incorporates the Presidential Staff Office and the Institutional Security Cabinet.

The back of the Palace includes a heliport that was built in 1990 in order to service the President of the Republic in short distance air travel.

Photographer: Domingos Tadeu - SID/PR
source: http://www.presidencia.gov.br/ingles/palaces/