Guided Tour
Visiting the Palácio d’Ouro is much more than exploring a historic landmark — it is experiencing a guided journey that transforms the past into presence, revealing stories, memories, and secrets preserved for over three centuries.
Upon entering the Palace, visitors are guided by our cultural mediators, who present each room, detail, and trace of the 18th century with sensitivity and depth.
The visit becomes a living pathway, where architecture, art, and history converse to uncover layers of the former Vila Rica.
It is a surprising experience, ideal for those who wish to understand the history of Ouro Preto through a new lens — one that can only be revealed inside the Palácio d’Ouro.
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The Visit Route
Main House
The visit begins at the Main House, a beautiful example of preserved 18th-century architecture. Colonial halls, painted ceilings, centuries-old floors, and a collection of objects from the 18th and 19th centuries create the atmosphere that envelops visitors from the very first step.
The restoration spanned 15 years, guided by the commitment to preserve the original construction systems and respect every historical layer of the building. The result is an authentic space where past and present meet in perfect balance.
Here, the stories of Vila Rica come to life: the formation of the city, its characters, its daily routines — an invitation to understand how home, art, and labor shaped colonial society and left a profound mark on the history of Minas Gerais.
Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows
The Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows has been fully restored, revealing its original paintings, as well as the historic sculptures that compose its artistic and devotional ensemble.
This space is essential for understanding the importance of Catholic religiosity in the daily life of 18th- and 19th-century society, highlighting how faith, art, and architecture intertwined in shaping the cultural identity of Minas Gerais.
Hanging Gardens, Paschoal Mine, and the Gold Process
At the Palácio d’Ouro, nature, architecture, and mining come together to create an experience that spans centuries. Visitors walk through outdoor areas that reveal the relationship between the landscape, the gold cycle, and the formation of the former Vila Rica — all within a setting of rare historical preservation.
The Hanging Gardens are one of the most enchanting spaces of the Palácio d’Ouro. Amid stone walls, historic pathways, and nature that embraces the colonial architecture, visitors encounter an atmosphere of tranquility and contemplation.
From the viewpoints, visitors can enjoy privileged views of Ouro Preto — its mountains, its colonial houses, and the atmosphere that shaped Minas Gerais in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is a place where time slows down, perfect for photographs, rest, and connection with the historic landscape.
The experience continues at the Paschoal Mine, an authentic gold mine preserved within the complex. Upon entering this historic environment, visitors come closer to the reality of the miners who shaped the region’s economy, culture, and society.
The mine is a unique testament to underground labor and to the techniques used nearly 300 years ago, offering a deep insight into the daily life of mining in Minas Gerais.
After the mine visit, the tour includes one of the most important parts of the experience: a demonstration of the "mundéu" - a unique, original 18th-century structure used for crushing and processing gold.
The visitor follows along, in a didactic and surprising way:
The crushing of the ore;
The decantation technique;
The use of the gold pan;
And the final moment, in which the gold dust is revealed.
It's a rare experience that brings to life a process described in books, but difficult to imagine without seeing it happen before your eyes.
Our guided tours are led by cultural mediators and always conducted in small groups, ensuring a profound, welcoming experience full of knowledge, art, culture, and respect.
