The Memorial da America Latina is a captivating campus of curvilinear concrete buildings designed by Oscar Niemeyer, Brazil's most notable modern architect.

The prominent centerpiece of the Memorial is the civic plaza with a large "bleeding" concrete hand, with a red silhouette of South America superimposed in its palm to reflect and cultivate the concept of Latin American unity. This complex was inaugurated in 1989.

Surrounding the hand sculpture are a library, museum, theater, restaurant, and murals, all with a slant towards Latin American traditions and values. Free concerts are held here on most weekends. The stark modernism of the architecture may not be to everyone's tastes, as standing in the minimalistic plaza on a blazing sunny day can be oppressively warm. Still, this is one of the more unique landmarks of Sao Paulo in my estimation.