The Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro, officially known as the Cathedral of Saint Sebastian, is an important Catholic temple in Brazil, located in the heart of Rio de Janeiro. It is the seat of the archdiocese of the city and is dedicated to St. Sebastian, the patron saint of Rio. Its construction took place between 1964 and 1979, with the aim of replacing several old churches that had served as cathedrals since the creation of the archdiocese in 1676. It is located in the Centro neighborhood, within a large park in the Central Zone of the city, which makes it an architectural and spiritual landmark in the urban life of Rio.

The cathedral is an impressive example of modernist architecture, designed by architect Edgar de Oliveira da Fonseca. Its structure has a conical shape, with an internal diameter of 96 meters and a total height of 75 meters, inspired by the pyramids of the pre-Columbian civilizations of Central America. The design incorporates a circular floor plan, while the roof features a Greek cross, a key symbol in Christian architecture.

One of the most striking aspects of the cathedral are its four enormous stained glass windows that extend from the floor to the ceiling, projecting the shape of the Greek cross inside. These stained glass windows represent the four attributes of the Church: One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. In addition, the ceiling has a monumental wooden cross, suspended by cables that point to the four cardinal points, reinforcing the religious symbolism of the space.

Inside the temple, sculptures by São Paulo artist Humberto Cozzo can be found, complementing the modernist aesthetics of the building. The cathedral, besides being a place of worship, is an outstanding tourist attraction due to its unique architecture and cultural value in the city of Rio de Janeiro.