Belo Horizonte is the capital of the state of Minas Gerais, which is the main mining base of Brazil. The state produces gold, diamonds, bauxite, graphite, nickel, as well as various types of ores. Therefore, it is not surprising that in the main city of the region there is a museum dedicated to metal and mining — Mm Gerdau Museum of Mines and Metal.

The building, which houses the Mines and Metal Museum, is known as Prédio Rosa and was built in 1897. It housed various public services. The museum occupied these areas recently in 2010: industrial exhibits look quite intricate in historical interiors. So before you enter the museum, stop for a moment, and examine its magnificent facade.

In the museum, you can learn about all stages and the history of mining as well as the impact of the industry on the culture and economy of the country. There are 18 exhibition halls on three floors of the museum. The visit begins with a tour of the diamond, gold, iron, zinc, and other types of mines using an interactive map. You can take a virtual walk deep into the Morro Velho mine in New Lima and learn all about life and work underground. A nice bonus: you will see various types of minerals in the form of a hologram.

On the upper floor, there are thematic halls dedicated to various metals and their compounds. You can use the interactive element table to create your view! You can also take a special test to find out how much metal is present in your body.

The museum is on the west side of Freedom Square in the center of Belo Horizonte. It is part of the Circuito Cultural Praça da Liberdade, which is a group of 12 museums and cultural centers in the city center.