Last updated on December 18, 2023.

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.

Praça da Liberdade in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Liberty Square

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).

Museu das Minas e do Metal (formerly Secretária de Educacão) in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Museum of Mines and Metal (formerly the Secretary of Education)

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.

Museu da Minerologia in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Former Mineralogy Museum (Museu da Mineralogia)

 

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).

Minas Gerais Vale (formerly Secretária da Fazenda) in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Memorial Vale (formerly the Treasury Building)

 

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.

Palácio da Liberdade in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Liberty Palace

 

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.

Edifício Niemeyer in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Edifício Niemeyer

 

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.

Palacete Dantas in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Dantas Palace
Sobrado Narbona in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Sobrado Narbona

 

Christ King Palace

Finally, there’s Christ King Palace (Palácio Cristo Rei), the home of the Archdiocese of Belo Horizonte.

Palácio Cristo Rei in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Christ King Palace

 

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).

Museu Mineiro in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Mineiro Museum

 

Our Lady of Lourdes Basilica

Nearby is the Our Lady of Lourdes Basilica (Basílica Nossa Senhora de Lourdes), a beautiful Gothic Revival church.

Basílica Nossa Senhora de Lourdes in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Our Lady of Lourdes Basilica

 

Mineira Academy of Literature

There’s also the Mineira Academy of Literature (Academia Mineira de Letras), which was founded in 1909.

Academia Mineira de Letras in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Mineira Academy of Literature
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Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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