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The main points of interest in Belo Horizonte lie typically at Liberty Square (Praça da Liberdade) in the city center. The square is filled with trees, plants, and fountains and is a nice place to sit and relax.
Around the square you will find several impressive buildings dating back to the early 20th century. Some of them serve as museums but were government buildings in the past.
Museum of Mines and Metal
The Museum of Mines and Metal (Museu das Minas e do Metal) is located in the former Secretary of Education building (Secretária de Educacão), constructed in 1895. It’s open daily except Mondays and admission is free (as of May 2023).
The modern building next door is the former Mineralogy Museum (Museu da Mineralogia), which was incorporated into the Museum of Mines and Metal in 2010.
Memorial Vale
The Memorial Vale is a museum presenting the history of Minas Gerais and is housed in the former Treasury Building (Secretária da Fazenda), built in 1897. It’s open daily except Mondays and admission is free (as of May 2023).
Liberty Palace
On the south end is Liberty Palace (Palácio da Liberdade), which served as the government offices for Minas Gerais for several years beginning in 1897. It’s now used for ceremonies.
Edificio Niemeyer
A curvaceous 1954 apartment building by renowned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer also sits on the plaza. The building takes Niemeyer’s name, Edifício Niemeyer. It sticks out like a sore thumb.
Dantas Palace
Just south of the plaza are a few more historic buildings. Dantas Palace (Palacete Dantas) was designed to be a mansion for the Dantas family in 1915. In 1926 it became the Club Central and was later used as a government building. Connected to Dantas Palace is Sobrado Narbona, home to the Secretary of Culture.
Christ King Palace
Finally, there’s Christ King Palace (Palácio Cristo Rei), the home of the Archdiocese of Belo Horizonte.
Mineiro Museum
A few blocks north of the plaza is the Mineiro Museum (Museu Mineiro). You can find some colonial artifacts and pieces of religious art inside. It’s open daily except Mondays and admission is free (as of May 2023).
Our Lady of Lourdes Basilica
Nearby is the Our Lady of Lourdes Basilica (Basílica Nossa Senhora de Lourdes), a beautiful Gothic Revival church.
Mineira Academy of Literature
There’s also the Mineira Academy of Literature (Academia Mineira de Letras), which was founded in 1909.
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