Two historic theatres in the Brazilian Amazon have been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Brazilian UNESCO delegation said on Monday.
The Teatro Amazonas (Amazon Theatre) in Manaus and the Theatro da Paz (Peace Theatre) in Belém are important testimonies to the cultural and architectural richness of their era, the delegation said. Listed under the name Teatros da Amazônia (Theatres of the Amazon Region), the World Heritage Site encompasses both opera houses along with the surrounding squares in Belém and Manaus.
The ensembles were built during the era dubbed the “Golden Age” of Amazonia, as a result of the economic boom driven by the rubber trade between 1879 and 1912.
Inspired by French and European architecture and designed with motifs from the Amazon region, they were intended to express the political and urban ambitions of the time. The Theatro da Paz opened in 1878, the Teatro Amazonas in 1896.
The extent to which the elite of the time looked to Europe for inspiration is also evident in the Teatro Amazonas: a ceiling painting in the auditorium is designed to evoke the view looking up at the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
With their inscription, the two venues are the first cultural sites in Brazil’s northern region to appear on the UNESCO World Heritage List, according to the Brazilian Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN). Brazil now has 26 World Heritage Sites.
The Teatro Amazonas is considered one of the best-known landmarks of Manaus and is a major draw for international tourism. The city is also a popular destination for travellers seeking Amazon experiences.
FILE PHOTO – A general view of the Facade of the Teatro Amazonas. (is associated with: «Two historic Amazon theatres earn UNESCO World Heritage status») Fabio Rodrigues-Pozzebom/Agencia Brazil/dpa
