Fortress façade
Corner turrets.
Josue Marinho — CC BY 3.0 · Rafael Lemieszek — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Criscolo — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Leandro Neumann Ciuffo from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — CC BY 2.0 · Paulo SP/ Wikimedia — CC BY-SA 4.0 · EURIMALI — CC BY-SA 3.0
The Governors' Palace stands on Praça Tiradentes in the heart of historic Ouro Preto, facing the Inconfidência Museum, on the site of the old Foundry and Mint, by then in ruins. It was designed by the military engineer José Fernandes Pinto Alpoim, and in 1741 governor Gomes Freire de Andrade contracted its construction with the Portuguese architect Manuel Francisco Lisboa, father of the famous sculptor «Aleijadinho», for 40,000 cruzados. It was the first building in Vila Rica built of stone and lime, using the region's abundant rock, and although a civil palace it has the features and function of a fortress: thick walls, corner turrets and the look of a «strong house», as Alpoim's instructions specified. It remained the seat of the governors of Minas Gerais until the capital moved to Belo Horizonte. Today the palace houses the School of Mines of the Federal University of Ouro Preto, founded in 1876, and its famous Museum of Science and Technology with its collection of minerals and gemstones. The museum was closed for years for safety works and was due to reopen for the school's 150th anniversary in 2026, so check whether it has reopened before you visit. The façade can be seen from the square at any time.
Corner turrets.
Heart of town.
Science museum.
Praça Tiradentes, historic centre, Ouro Preto
Historic Town of Ouro PretoOuro Preto, Black Gold, is a colonial mining town in the mountains of Minas Gera1 minute walk4.9
Inconfidência MuseumThe Inconfidência Museum is Ouro Preto's leading museum, in the old government b2 minutes walk4.6
Teatro Municipal – Casa da Ópera (Ouro Preto)Ouro Preto's Municipal Theatre, once known as the «Opera House of Vila Rica», wa2 minutes walk4.7
Casa dos Contos MuseumCasa dos Contos, the House of Accounts, is the finest colonial house in Ouro Pre3 minutes walk4.9
Church of São Francisco de AssisThe Church of São Francisco de Assis is one of the best-known buildings of Brazi3 minutes walk4.9The School of Mines and its Museum of Science and Technology, which was closed for works for years, so check whether it has reopened.