What to visit in Belo Horizonte
Museums
Belo Horizonte has a number of museums that display the best of Brazil's culture and history. The museums have a lot to offer.
Museu de Arte da Pampulha (Pampulha Museum of Art)
The houses of the museum were the first edifice to be build by Oscar Niemeyer (a famous Brazilian architect). This museum is informally called the "Crystal Palace", it has a good library, rooms with multimedia facilities, a souvenir store and a café.
Address: The Museu de Arte da Pampulha de Arte is located at Avenida Otacílio Negrão de Lima.16.585 - Pampulha.
Museu Abílio Baretto (Abílio Baretto Museum)
This museum is a house that was built in 19th century. It is thought to be older than Belo Horizonte itself. There are a significant collection of ceramics, furniture and art. The Abílio Baretto museum is located in the Curral Del Rey village and was once the farm house of the Leitão family.
Address: Rua Bernardo Mascarenhas, s/n" - Cidade Jardim
Museu de Artes e Oficios (Arts and Crafts Museum)
You can see the history of the industrial and technical aspects of Brazil in the Artes e Oficios Museum. This museum is located downtown, in the old Central Station.
Museu de História Natural e Jardim Botânico da UFMG (Museum of Natural History and Botanical Garden of the UFMG)
The museum displays of items from the mineral would, botanic items and archaeological significance items. There is an interactive laboratory. A high point of the museum is the "nativity scene" or the Presépio do Pipiripau. The Presépio do Pipiripau shows a description of Jesus live in 45 scenes using more than 580 figures.
Museu de Mineralogia Prof. Djalma Guimarães (Museum of Mineralogy)
This museum, known as "Rainha da Sucata" or Queen of Scrap Iron, is located in a futuristic building that is distinct from all the other buildings in the Praça da Liberdade. This is in itself an interesting tourist attraction. Inside, there is an extensive collection of almost three thousand pieces of stone.
Museu de Ciencias Naturais PUC-MG (PUC - MG Museum of Natural Sciences)
This is the museum for those interested in paleontology and archeology. In it there are a lot of fossils and dinosaurs, and you can pick up some information about the famous researcher Peter Lund. There you can travel back in time with a replica of the cave and excavations discovered by him in the eighteen hundreds.
No Mundo das Águas - Aquarium
If you think that there is no important sea and marine life in Belo Horizonte, then you must visit the aquarium. It has over 600 square meters and displays around 120 species of fishes, corals, sea horses, crustaceans etc.
Address: Rua Montes Claros, 322, Carmo Sion.
Parks and Squares
For some time Belo Horizonte held the title of “Garden City”. Even today, the amount of green preservation is impressive. There are over two million trees, including streets, parks and squares.
The belo-horizontino has double the green area recommended by the World Health Organization. There are 500 squares, contributing for a better quality of life in the city – places for sports practice, cultural demonstrations and recreation.
Parque Municipal Américo Renné Giannetti (Municipal Park)
The Municipal Park is located right in the downtown of the city. It is older than the own Belo Horizonte. The contrast between the natural beauty in the park and the urban architecture is fascinating. Every year, between May and September, the Orchestra of Minas Gerais plays a concert called "Concerto no Parque" every Sunday morning. Try not to miss it if you are there during these months!
Address: Av. Afonso Pena s/n, Downtown.
Parque das Mangabeiras
The Mangabeiras Park is located at the base of the Serra do Curral Mountains. The park has something for every kind of tourist.
Address: Av. Anel da Serra - alto do Mangabeiras
Praça do Papa (Pope Square)
Praça do Papa is situated at the beginning of Serra do Curral mountain range. The square became famous when the Pope João Paulo II, in front of a mass of people excalimed "Que belo horizonte!" (what a beautiful horizon!), as he saw many faces around him and the beautiful view from the square The square is also the venue for cultural programs, plays and concerts. Don't miss the view of Belo Horizonte city at night from this square.
Praça da Estação (Station Square)
The old train station is a very important landmark of the city. The first community clock in Belo Horizonte installed in the station’s tower. The station building was renovated recently and converted into the Museum of Arts and Crafts. The square around the station is also where festivals and concerts take place all around the year. Prominent tourist attractions on the square include the pair of marble lions, the Santa Teresa viaduct, the Serraria Souza Pinto space and the bronze sculpture honouring the heroes of Inconfidencia.
Praça Sete de Setembro (Sete de Setembro Square)
Sete de Setembro Square is the central spot of Belo Horizonte. Obelisk (Lollipop) stands here to commemorate the centenary of independence. This obelisk is also known as Pirulito da Praça Sete or Seven Square Lollipop.
Liberdade Square Architectural Complex
One of the best trips for those visiting Belo Horizonte is the landscape and architectural complex at Liberdade Square.
Built at the time of the capital’s foundation to be the centre of power, it shows a mixture of various styles, which are the live portrait of the city’s evolution. Neoclassic (end of the XIX century), Art-Déco (1940’s decade), Modern (1950 and 1960’s decades) and Postmodern (1980). The buildings are being turned into museums this year (2010) because the administrative buildings of the government were moved to Cidade Administrativa (Administrative City).
Pampulha Architectural Complex
The buildings from Pampulha Architectural Complex are famous postcards of the city. The weather is enjoyable and there is an artificial lake with eighteen kilometers. It is along this lagoon that the famous competition "Volta Internacional da Pampulha" is held every year. This 18 kilometers race was first held in 1993 and has since been attracting an increasing number of participants every year.
Main Attractions in Pampulha
Pampulha Architectural Complex
Oscar Niemeyer is one of the architects that has changed the face of Brazilian architecture. One of his most important creations is the complex in Pampulha. The complex includes the buildings listed below.
Igreja São Francisco de Assis - Igrejinha da Pampulha (São Francisco de Assis Church)
The church is a symbol of the modern architecture. It is very beautiful with the gardens designed by Burle Max and the paintings on the external and internal panels by Portinari. You will be required to pay a small entrance fee here.
Museu de Arte da Pampulha (Pampulha Museum of Art )
This building was originally a casino. However, when Brazil prohibited gambling in 1946, the authorities converted it into the Museum of Arts in 1957.
Casa do Baile (The Ball House)
In the 1940's the complex along the Pampulha’s lake was the favourite place of the rich and famous of Belo Horizonte. So one of the places that people usually came to dance parties was the Casa do Baile. Now days many exhibitions and events are held here as well.
Mineirão - Estádio Governador Magalhaes Pinto (Mineirão - Soccer Stadium)
This is one of the largest soccer stadiums in the world, attracting thousands of tourists each year. A must see for all soccer fanatics, the stadium was constructed in 1965 and has seen many historic soccer matches and legendary concerts.
Mineirinho - Estádio Jornalista Felipe Drummond (Mineirinho Stadium)
The Mineirinho stadium was built in 1980 and can hold up to 25,000 people. Many games are played in this stadium which holds the world record for the number of people at a volleyball and indoor soccer game!
Parque Ecológico da Pampulha
The second largest green area in Belo Horizonte is Parque Ecológico da Pampulha. It is very good for practicing sports, playing games, strolling and stretching out under the trees.
Zoológico - Fundação Zoobotânica de Belo Horizonte (Zoo-Botanical Foundation of Belo Horizonte)
This zoo is known to be one of the most extensive zoos in Latin America. It is also home to the first butterfly sanctuary in South America.
Churches
Igreja São José (Church of Saint Joséph)
The Church of Saint Joséph was built in 1910. It possesses Dutch features and is built in the "Manuelino" style. The interiors of the church are decorated with murals and paintings by Guilherme Schumacher, a German artist.
Igreja da Boa Viagem
This grand church is built in the neo-Gothic style in honor of Our Lady of Boa Viagem, patroness of Belo Horizonte.
Igreja Nossa Senhora de Lourdes (Our Lady of Lourdes Church)
Made in a Gothic style, the Igreja Nossa Senhora de Lourdes (Our Lady of Lourdes Church) started being constructed together with the capital, but was officially inaugurated only in 1923.
Neighborhood
Santa Tereza
Santa Tereza is famous for its bars, restaurants and nightlife. It presents the bohemian and informal face of Brazil and many famous singers and bands come from this neighborhood.
Main Attractions in Santa Tereza
Bar do Bolão (Bolão Bar)
Bolão Bar, is a long established and reputed bar in Santa Tereza. Frequented by the rich and famous, its walls are decorated with golden records of many of Santa Tereza's musicians. It is best known for its pasta but you could also settle for "rochedão" or "mexido" made with beans and rice.
Savassi
Savassi, near downtown, has some fine restaurants and a very active nightlife. The Palácio da Liberdade or the Palace of Liberty, which houses the Executive Offices of the Governor, is located here. This neighborhood is really a big open shopping mall !!
Mangabeiras
Mangabeiras, situated in the south of Belo Horizonte has two prominent landmarks the Rua do Amendoim and the garden Parque das Mangabeiras. At Rua do Amendoim, drivers perceive their cars going uphill rather than down the slope when they are parked! Is it an optical illusion or is it magic?
It is the quiet, green and noble neighborhood of Belo Horizonte. An exclusively residential area, Mangabeiras is the home to many celebrities and important political figures.
Going Shopping
There are a lot of places to go shopping in Belo Horizonte, but some places need to be highlighted. Here they are:
Shopping Cachaça (sugar cane spirit)
Cachaças from all over the State, pure and aged, can be found at Banca do Ronaldo.
Adress: Avenida Augusto de Lima, 744, stores 34 and 141, Center – Central Market.
Phone numbers: +55 (31) 3274-9611 / 3274-9674; open Monday to Saturday, from 8h to 18h, and on Sundays, 8h to 13h.
Mercado Central (Central Market)
The Mercado Central is a complete tourist experience. It has over 400 shops and establishments, restaurants and bars. From vegetables, fruits, cheeses, meats and sweets to handicrafts, herbs and pets, you can find them all at the Mercado Central.
Feira de Arte e Artesanato da Afonso Pena (Afonso Pena Arts and Craft Fair)
Every Sunday morning, there is a fair on the Afonso Pena Avenue. If you find yourself free on a Sunday morning, then do visit this fair.
Around Belo Horizonte
Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism
Around Belo Horizonte there are lots of beautiful places to visit: waterfalls, rugged mountains, winding rivers and a perfect background for adventure activities like trekking, paragliding and river rafting.
The Serra do Cipó National Park (The Parque Nacional da Serra do Cipó) is located about 100 kilometres away from Belo Horizonte and offers a complete experience of adventure and eco tourism. The archaeological sites on the park give a glimpse of the primitive tribes, their life and culture. The amazing variety of flora and fauna is the botanist's delight! And finally, for those of you who enjoy the outdoors, there is a well equipped camping site. If you prefer something more modern, then check into the guest houses in the park.
Another very interested tourist experience is the Parque Natural do Caraça (Caraça Natural Park). Situated in Catas Altas town it has more then 11,000 hectares. It is here that you can see the first Gothic Church in Brazil. If you can keep up all night, you can see the Lobos Guará or the Brazilian wolves, which come to the Church to be fed by the Fathers.
Around Belo Horizonte - Caves
For those who like archaeology, Minas Geiras has the largest concentration of caves and grottos in Brazil. To the north west of Belo Horizonte there are more then 500 caves. Lapinha in Lagoa Santa, Rei do Mato in Sete Lagoas and Maquiné in Cordisburgo are caves that are worth a visit.
Around Belo Horizonte - Historical Cities
There was a lot of activity on this area in the 17th century. The discovery of gold brought prosperity for the cities in Minas Gerais. This prosperity was reflected in the art and architecture styles of those times, which were essentially Baroque and Rococo.
This period was marked by intense religious fervor. Therefore the art was expressed basically in the churches and religious figures. The main example are the "12 Profetas" (12 Prophets), a set of sculptures made of soap stone by Master Aleijadinho, a prominent artist of that time. The churches of São Francisco de Assis and Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Pilar in Ouro Preto were built at this time.
Around Belo Horizonte - Inhotim
About 50 km from Belo Horizonte is Inhotim, an artist's commune where contemporary artists work and display their masterpieces in the museum. Spread over 87 acres of gardens designed by Burle Marx, Inhotim encourages artists to innovate in Modern Art by freeing them from the confines of structures and buildings.
Inhotim received more than 230 thousand visitors since its opening in 2006, number that places the museum among the most visited institutions of art within Brazil. Painting, sculpture, drawing, photograph, video and installations of famous Brazilian and international artists are shown in galleries spread across the park. It also has on display a wide variety of tropical plants. The museum charges an entrance fee but children under six years of age do not have to pay.
Useful Information
Address: Rua B, 20 - Brumadinho – MG
Phone: + 55 31 3227-0001
Timings: Thursday - Sunday and holidays: 9.30am to 4.30pm.
Information: www.inhotim.org.br
Useful language
Here are some words in Portuguese and in English that can help you to ask for some things in Brazil.
WORDS IN ENGISH - WORDS IN PORTUGUESE
Hello - Oi!
Good morning - Bom dia!
Good afternoon - Boa tarde!
Good night - Boa noite!
Excuse me - Com licença.
I am a tourist. Could you help me? - Eu sou um turista. Você poderia me ajudar?
I would like a cab. - Eu gostaria de um taxi.
Can I get a bus anywhere round here? - Há algum ponto de ônibus perto daqui?
Which bus can I take to go to…? - Qual ônibus vai para o ....?
Does this bus go to the airport? - Este ônibus vai para o aeroporto?
Is there a hotel around here? - Tem um hotel aqui perto?
Where is this street/restaurant/museum? - Onde fica esta rua/este restaurante/ este museu?
Where is a good place to eat? - Onde é um bom lugar para comer?
I’d like a coffee please. - Eu gostaria de um café por favor.
How much does this cost? - Quanto isto custa?
The bill, please. - A conta por favor.
May I pay by credit card? - Posso pagar com cartão de crédito?
