Museums and galleries in Ouro Preto

Museums and galleries in Ouro Preto

1. See

   Casa Guignard

   Guignard House

   This museum has a collection of paintings by Alberto da Veiga Guignard, an influential painter who lived his last years in the town.

2. See

   Igreja da Nossa Senhora do Carmo

   This rococo-style church, built in 1766, holds the last works of Aleijadinho as well as the above-mentioned Oratory Museum.

3. See

   Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Pilar

   The oldest church in the city was designed by one of Aleijadinho's mentors and completed in 1731 to replace the original main church. Despite the rather stark outward appearance, the interior glistens with almost 1000 pounds (450 kg) of gold and almost 900 pounds (400 kg) of silver. The basement of the church holds the Museum of Sacred Art.

   Tue-Sun 09:00-11:00 and 12:00-17:00·R$4

4. See

   Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Conceição

   This 1727 church is famous for its 8 lavishly decorated altars. The cemetery here has the grave of Aleijadinho, and the sacristy houses a museum dedicated to him.

   Tue-Sun 09:00-10:45 and 12:00-16:45

5. See

   Mina da Passagem

   Mine of the Crossing

   This is said to be the world´s largest mine open to the public. In order to reach the mining galleries a small trolley is used and it is held by a steel cable. You descend for 315 m and the total depth reaches 120 m. The visit to the mine is accompanied by a guide (who normally does not speak English, so make sure you have someone who can translate for you). Apart from the grandiosity of the excavation, there is also a beautiful underground lake. If you plan to take pictures, you will need a tripod and a lower shutter speed. Otherwise your pictures will be either blurred or totally blacked out. Tours can be arranged through.

   R$17

6. See

   Museu Aleijadinho

   Many important works by Aleijadinho are elsewhere in the city, but this small museum has a few gems, including a strikingly life-like bust of Saint Francis of Paola.

   R$3, students half-price

7. See

   Museu da Inconfidência

   This museum is dedicated to the memory of the Inconfidência Mineira, an unsuccessful 1789 revolt against Portuguese rule which was inspired by the American Revolution. The building, one of the best extant specimens of colonial baroque architecture, houses the remains of some of the revolutionaries, a library, archives, and works by artists of the period, including works by Aleijadinho and Manuel da Costa Ataíde.

   R$2

8. See

   Museu de Mineralogia

   Museu de Ciência e Técnica da Escola de Minas

   This mineralogy museum has a quite varied collection of minerals from quartz to diamond to uranium, including many rare specimens. Children have free admission.

   R$5

9. See

   Museu do Oratório

   This charming museum has a large collection of over 300 elaborately decorated oratories, small portable prayer altars made for home or travel use.

   R$4

10. See

    Praça Tiradentes

    The definitive center of the town. On the north side of the square is the Escolas de Minas (School of Mines), with a museum of mineralogy. On the south side is the Museu da Inconfidência.

11. See

    Museu de Arte Sacra

    Museum of Sacred Art

    Praça Monsenhor Castilho Barbosa

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Ouro Preto (CC BY-SA 4.0).