Biblioteca Publica Estadual Luiz de Bessa

The center of city life in Belo Horizonte is the Praça da Liberdade, a lively, bustling, tree-lined square surrounded by museums, theaters and shops. It also features the Biblioteca Pública Estadual Luiz de Bessa, the public library. Find tranquility in this modern space as you peruse the library’s special collections or simply take a break from the busy city streets in one of the reading rooms. Bring your kids to the interactive children’s play area as well.

Make use of the library’s access to more than 230,000 titles. It is also part of the nationwide Freedom Circuit, a group of museums, training centers and other cultural institutions across the state of Minas Gerais that seek to integrate culture and urban space.

Find out what events are scheduled at the library during your stay in Belo Horizonte. Come to one of the free Portuguese-language events regularly held here for a great way to improve your Portuguese skills. You can also ask for group tours of the facilities or for an individual trip to the library’s rare and historical books section.

The reading rooms are lit well, with natural light that floods in through the library’s distinctively curved floor-to-ceiling windows. Outside, Praça da Liberdade is popular with workers during the day. Join locals at drawn-out lunch breaks under palm trees, while children enjoy the large playground. At the top of the square is the wonderful Palácio da Liberdade, which previously housed the seat of government of Belo Horizonte and is now a museum.

Come after dark to see the square transformed into a music and nightlife hub, all within easy walking distance of Belo Horizonte’s main shopping and dining districts.

The Biblioteca Pública Estadual Luiz de Bessa is open every day except Sunday. After spending a few hours here lost in a book, get some exercise by strolling around the palm-lined outdoor space as you decide what to see next.