Historic Town of Ouro Preto sees restoration work in October
Published on 09/27/2026 at 08:28 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Historic Town of Ouro Preto and its restoration work are at the centre of a municipal heritage programme announced on 2 September 2026 in Ouro Preto, Brazil. The programme covers the Centro Histórico de Ouro Preto, including churches, a colonial house, a fountain and urban works.
The municipality says several interventions are active in September 2026. For travellers, the clearest change is at the Church of Bom Jesus de Matozinhos and São Miguel e Almas, which is expected to remain closed while restoration continues.
Restoration work reaches Ouro Preto landmarks in October
The municipal culture and tourism department lists the Casa dos Inconfidentes and the Chafariz do Antônio Dias among the sites with works under way. Both projects have a projected completion date in October 2026, although the announcement does not give a precise day. The same update says the second stage of restoration at the Casarão João Veloso, in the Antônio Dias neighbourhood, is approaching its final phase.
The Church of Bom Jesus de Matozinhos and São Miguel e Almas is at the end of its first civil restoration stage, with completion projected for November 2026. The building is to remain closed for a subsequent stage concentrating on integrated artistic elements. A municipal restoration update also records work at the Padre Faria Chapel, involving urban requalification and slope containment, with completion expected in September 2026.
Historic Town of Ouro Preto links restoration to World Heritage
Ouro Preto preserves a colonial urban ensemble of churches, bridges, fountains, public buildings, museums and historic houses. The Ministry of Tourism says the city was the first Brazilian property inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, in 1980, and retains an important group of colonial architecture in the Americas.
The setting explains why the current programme extends beyond isolated buildings. The Casa dos Inconfidentes and the Chafariz do Antônio Dias are separate elements of the historic urban landscape, so their projected October completion connects a house and a public fountain within the same conservation effort. The Church of São Francisco de Assis, associated with Aleijadinho and paintings by Mestre Ataíde, is another named landmark in the city’s protected cultural environment. These facts are set out in the Ministry of Tourism overview.
The programme also reaches sites beyond the central area. The municipality reports continuing work at the Church of São Gonçalo do Amarante in Amarantina, with completion projected for February 2027, and at the former Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição in Antônio Pereira, known as the Igreja Queimada.
What the October restoration programme means for access
For visitors inside the current period, the programme means that not every historic building will have the same status. The Church of Bom Jesus de Matozinhos and São Miguel e Almas is specifically identified as remaining closed, while the municipal update does not give a general closure for the Casa dos Inconfidentes or the Chafariz do Antônio Dias.
The dates are projections rather than confirmed reopening ceremonies. Travellers should therefore treat October 2026 as the planned completion period for the Casa dos Inconfidentes and Chafariz do Antônio Dias, not as a guaranteed public opening date.
Visiting Historic Town of Ouro Preto: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The restoration programme was announced on 2 September 2026. The Casa dos Inconfidentes and Chafariz do Antônio Dias have projected completion in October 2026.
- The Church of Bom Jesus de Matozinhos and São Miguel e Almas is expected to remain closed after the first stage reaches its projected November 2026 completion.
- Ouro Preto is about 100 kilometres from Belo Horizonte. The Ministry of Tourism identifies road access via the BR-040 and BR-356 and regular buses from Belo Horizonte.
- The historic urban area includes steep slopes, irregular streets, churches, fountains, bridges and colonial buildings, so walking between landmarks involves uneven terrain and gradients.
- Portuguese is Brazil’s official language and the national currency is the Brazilian real.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Historic Town of Ouro Preto
What has changed at Historic Town of Ouro Preto?
Municipal restoration works are under way at several historic buildings and public features. The programme was announced on 2 September 2026.
When will restoration work finish at Historic Town of Ouro Preto?
The Casa dos Inconfidentes and Chafariz do Antônio Dias have projected completion in October 2026. The first civil stage at the Church of Bom Jesus de Matozinhos and São Miguel e Almas is projected for November 2026.
Where is Historic Town of Ouro Preto and how do you get there?
Ouro Preto is about 100 kilometres from Belo Horizonte in Brazil. Road access includes the BR-040 and BR-356, while regular buses connect the city with Belo Horizonte.
