Brazil's Amazonia theaters inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Two theaters in the Brazilian Amazon were designated as World Cultural Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Monday.

The Teatro Amazonas in the city of Manaus and the Theatro da Paz in Belem were both built during the height of the rubber boom, in grand European style in the late 19th century, and reflect the prosperity of the Amazon's Golden Age.

The decision to grant the theaters UNESCO World Heritage status was made during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee, held in Busan, the Republic of Korea, making them the first cultural sites in northern Brazil to receive this international recognition.

Located in the heart of the Amazon rain forest, the Teatro Amazonas was inaugurated in 1896 in Manaus. Materials used to construct this opera house were imported from various European countries, including Carrara marble from Italy and roof tiles from France's Alsace region. The landmark is one of Brazil's leading cultural symbols and hosts the Amazonas Opera Festival each year.

Theatro da Paz, inaugurated in 1878 in Belem, the capital of Para state and later expanded, is one of the oldest opera houses in the country and considered a neoclassical architectural jewel.

Brazil now boasts 26 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List: 16 cultural sites, nine natural sites and one mixed cultural-natural site. ■