Oscar Niemeyer Museum Museum
Modern art and architecture museum with distinctive designs
In Curitiba, the Oscar Niemeyer Museum displays modern art and design inside Niemeyer's curved concrete forms; visitors come for exhibitions and distinctive architecture.
Oscar Niemeyer Museum at a Glance#
Address: Rua Mal. Hermes, 999 - Centro Cívico, Curitiba - PR, 80530- american (Paraná state)
Website: http://www.museuoscarniemeyer.org.br/
Hours: Typically Tue-Sun 10:00am-6:00pm, closed Mondays (check site for exceptions)
Admission: Museum admission varies; check site for current pricing
About Oscar Niemeyer Museum#
The Museu Oscar Niemeyer is a public cultural institution in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, designed by the architect Oscar Niemeyer and commonly nicknamed the Museu do Olho (Museum of the Eye). The museum opened to the public in the early 2000s and is noted for its modernist architecture by Niemeyer.
The site is known for its striking eye-shaped tower and adjacent exhibition halls that host contemporary art, design and visual culture displays. Galleries exhibit rotating temporary shows alongside a permanent collection of graphic arts and design pieces, and the complex includes an auditorium, library and visitor services. The reflecting pool in front of the eye is a common vantage point for photography and short outdoor visits.
Commissioned and designed by Oscar Niemeyer, the museum was established in the early 21st century to house municipal and private collections and to present national and international temporary exhibitions. Over time it has expanded programming to include design, architecture and visual-arts events while retaining the architect’s signature modernist forms.
Sited in Curitiba’s civic district, the museum sits near municipal government buildings and parks in the city center of Paraná state. It is accessible by city transport from central Curitiba.
- Best view: Located in the Centro Cívico area of Curitiba, the complex is best photographed from the reflecting pool in front of the eye-shaped tower.
- Timings and exhibitions: Guided tours and temporary exhibitions rotate frequently, so check the museum schedule before visiting.
What to See#
- The Eye (Museu do Olho): A distinctive eye-shaped exhibition tower that sits above a reflecting pool and contains gallery space and viewpoints over the complex.
- Main galleries and facilities: Ground-level exhibition halls for rotating contemporary art and design shows, with an auditorium, library and visitor facilities.
How to Get to Oscar Niemeyer Museum#
The museum is in Curitiba’s Centro Cívico district and is reachable by local bus routes and taxis from the city center. Curitiba’s public transport network includes bus rapid transit lines connecting major neighborhoods.
Tips for Visiting Oscar Niemeyer Museum#
- Allow time for the Oscar Niemeyer Museum's distinct sections-the 'Eye' exhibition space and the main collection-rather than rushing through.
- Take a moment to photograph the building's curves at dawn or dusk when the light flattens the concrete forms into a graphic silhouette.
Best Time to Visit Oscar Niemeyer Museum#
Curitiba's mild climate makes the museum accessible most of the year; check local programming for special exhibitions and evening events.
Weather & Climate near Oscar Niemeyer Museum#
Oscar Niemeyer Museum's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with warm summers (peaking in February) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 8°C to 26°C. Abundant rainfall (1546 mm/year), wettest in January.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 16° - 27° | 21° | 206 mm | overcast | 83% | 1.7 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 13.4h |
| February | Good | 17° - 27° | 22° | 174 mm | overcast | 83% | 1.7 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.8h |
| March | Good | 15° - 25° | 20° | 150 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 1.7 m/s | 2.0 very high | 12.1h |
| April | Very Good | 13° - 23° | 18° | 95 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 1.6 m/s | 1.5 high | 11.4h |
| May | Good | 10° - 21° | 15° | 102 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 1.5 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 10.8h |
| June | Good | 8° - 19° | 14° | 101 mm | partly cloudy | 86% | 1.5 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.4h |
| July | Good | 8° - 19° | 14° | 88 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 1.5 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 10.6h |
| August | Good | 9° - 21° | 15° | 80 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 1.7 m/s | 1.1 high | 11.1h |
| September | Good | 11° - 21° | 16° | 135 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 2.0 m/s | 1.3 high | 11.8h |
| October | Good | 13° - 23° | 18° | 139 mm | overcast | 82% | 2.0 m/s | 1.7 very high | 12.6h |
| November | Good | 14° - 25° | 19° | 119 mm | overcast | 81% | 2.0 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 13.2h |
| December | Good | 15° - 26° | 21° | 157 mm | overcast | 81% | 2.0 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 13.6h |