Museum reopens at Historic Centre of Ouro Preto on 10 October

The Historic Centre of Ouro Preto (Centro Histórico de Ouro Preto) will host a temporary reopening of the Museum of Science and Technology from 10 to 31 October 2026. The reopening forms part of the 150th anniversary programme of the School of Mines at the Federal University of Ouro Preto, in Brazil.

Ouro Preto museum reopens from 10 to 31 October

The reopening will allow visitors to join guided visits to the Natural History and Mineralogy 1 sections. The museum normally remains closed to regular visitors because of safety work and a reduced staff, so the October programme creates a limited route through part of the collection.

The museum is in the former Governors Palace on Praça Tiradentes. The programme is documented in the temporary reopening notice, which says the opening was authorised after approval of a fire service inspection project. The University of Ouro Preto is the custodian named in the programme.

Historic Centre setting links science with heritage

Praça Tiradentes is a central reference point for exploring Ouro Preto's historic buildings and museums. The former palace places the temporary museum route inside the urban ensemble for which the city was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980.

Ouro Preto was founded in the late seventeenth century after the discovery of gold in Minas Gerais. Its preserved churches, bridges, fountains, public buildings and colonial houses remain integrated into the historic town plan, while the October reopening adds working scientific collections to the heritage visit. The Ministry of Tourism overview identifies the city as Brazil's first World Heritage site.

School of Mines anniversary changes the museum visit

The temporary access is tied to the School of Mines anniversary rather than a full return to normal museum operations. Only the Natural History and Mineralogy 1 sections on the lower floor will be available, while the other areas remain closed.

The same programme includes special evening visits to the Astronomical Observatory on 13, 20 and 27 October 2026. These sessions are related to the anniversary programme, but they do not change the restricted access arrangement at the museum itself.

Visiting Historic Centre of Ouro Preto: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The temporary museum reopening runs from 10 to 31 October 2026 at the Museum of Science and Technology in the former Governors Palace on Praça Tiradentes.
• Access is restricted to guided visits in the Natural History and Mineralogy 1 sections on the lower floor; the remaining museum areas stay closed.
• Ouro Preto is about 100 kilometres from Belo Horizonte and can be reached by car or regular bus via the BR-040 and BR-356 roads. Praça Tiradentes is a starting point for the historic centre.
• Brazil's official language is Portuguese and its 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 Centre of Ouro Preto

When does the museum reopening take place at Historic Centre of Ouro Preto?

The temporary reopening runs from 10 to 31 October 2026. It covers guided visits to the Natural History and Mineralogy 1 sections.

What has changed at Historic Centre of Ouro Preto?

The Museum of Science and Technology is allowing temporary access to two sections while the rest of the museum remains closed. The change is part of the School of Mines' 150th anniversary programme.

Where is Historic Centre of Ouro Preto and how do you get there?

Ouro Preto is about 100 kilometres from Belo Horizonte in Brazil. Travellers can reach the city by car or regular bus via the BR-040 and BR-356 roads.