park · Belo Horizonte, MG
Parque Municipal Américo Renné Giannetti
Opened in September 1897, even before the new capital was established, it was designed by French landscape architect Paul Villon in the English romantic style. It has about 4,000 trees of some 300 species, lakes and tree-lined paths in the city center.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Parque Municipal Américo Renné Giannetti
The Parque Municipal Américo Renné Giannetti is the big garden of downtown Belo Horizonte. It is in the city center, next to Avenida Afonso Pena, and is a green break in the middle of the city's bustle.
The park is older than the capital itself: it opened on September 26, 1897, months before the city. The design is by French landscape architect Paul Villon, in the English romantic style, with lakes, bridges and winding paths. Over time, it lost much of its original area to urban expansion. The landscape ensemble has been listed by the state since 1975, and the name honors Mayor Américo Renné Giannetti.
Today there are about 4,000 trees, three ponds (dos Barcos, dos Marrecos and do Quiosque), waterfalls, the bandstand and old bridges such as the Ponte dos Namorados (Lovers' Bridge) and the Ponte Rústica. There is a playground, a carousel, a small train and bike and tricycle rental, which are paid separately. Inside the park is the Teatro Francisco Nunes, and the Passeio Niemeyer connects it to the Palácio das Artes.
The visit is flat and relaxed, good for families with children and for anyone who just wants to walk in the shade. According to the City Hall, the park is wheelchair accessible.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
One to two hours is enough to walk around the ponds, cross the bridges and rest in the shade of the paths.
Best time
In the morning, when the park is cooler and calmer; in the dry months, from April to September, it rains little in Belo Horizonte and the visit is more pleasant.
How to get there
It is in downtown Belo Horizonte, with entrances on Avenida Afonso Pena, Avenida dos Andradas, Rua da Bahia and Alameda Ezequiel Dias. If you are staying in the city center, you can walk; from anywhere else in the city, bus lines along Afonso Pena drop you in front.
Tip
Combine the visit with the Palácio das Artes, right next door, via the Passeio Niemeyer. And remember that the park is closed on Mondays.
Official website
A look at the place
Parque Municipal Américo Renné Giannetti in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Parque Municipal Américo Renné Giannetti
Is there an entrance fee at BH's Parque Municipal?
No. Entry is free. Rides such as the carousel and the small train, and bike rental, are paid separately.
Is the Parque Municipal open on Mondays?
No. According to the City Hall's official schedule, the park is open Tuesday to Sunday. Check the hours on the official website.
Can I bring my dog to the Parque Municipal?
Yes, with a collar and leash and accompanied by its owner. Cats are not allowed.
Can I walk there from downtown BH?
Yes. The park is right in the city center, with entrances on Avenida Afonso Pena, Avenida dos Andradas and Rua da Bahia.
Is the Parque Municipal wheelchair accessible?
According to the Belo Horizonte City Hall, yes: the park is wheelchair accessible.