In Belo Horizonte, Saudade brings together two distinct themes: the history of Cemitério da Saudade and the sports and leisure facilities at Praça da Saudade, also known as Praça Louis Braille. This distinction is useful when planning your trip: the cemetery raises questions about the city's history and access to permanent gravesites, while the square draws attention to sports facilities and municipal classes. If you are looking for accommodation in Belo Horizonte, you can first consider which of these themes you want to shape your stay.
Cemitério da Saudade: History and Social Function
Cemitério da Saudade was established in 1942 and is Belo Horizonte's second-oldest necropolis. Its founding had a clear social purpose: it was created for the city's less affluent residents who wanted a permanent gravesite but did not have access to Cemitério do Bonfim. Its origins therefore tell more than just the story of a date; they also raise the question of who in the city at that time had access to a permanent resting place. For those interested in the city's history, the cemetery's particular significance lies in the connection between its founding year and its social function.
A municipal notice from 2019 reported 32,000 graves, four funeral chapels and an area of 188,000 m². The number of graves and the area represent different measures: one refers to the burial places, the other to the extent of the site. This spatial context adds another perspective to the cemetery's history.
Praça da Saudade: Sports Facilities and Areas to Spend Time
Praça da Saudade, also known as Praça Louis Braille, offers a different focus. During its redesign in 2019, the society football pitch was fitted with artificial turf. Three multi-purpose sports courts were also renovated, including one with a roof. The gardens, areas for spending time and changing rooms were renovated as well. The redesigned square therefore places sports facilities alongside areas for relaxation. If specific facilities are important to your visit, check their current condition and visitor access in advance.
Classes at the Polo Esportivo e de Lazer
A municipal program page, updated on June 25, 2026, lists 560 class places at the Polo Esportivo e de Lazer on Praça Louis Braille, with sessions in the morning and afternoon. Classes for children and young people aged 6 to 17 are listed in basketball, boxing, capoeira, futsal, society football, rhythmic gymnastics, basic sports training and volleyball. The remaining class places are reserved for adults; the page lists boxing, dance, futsal and functional training for them. Boxing and futsal are therefore available to both age groups, while the other listed sports distinguish the offerings.
The square's design and the class schedule answer different planning questions: the 2019 redesign describes the facilities, while the municipal program page distinguishes sports, age groups and times of day. If you are planning your trip around a particular class, check the current offering and relevant times in advance; capacity and class offerings may change.
Discover more destinations: Conselheiro Lafaiete, Arantina, São José Dos Lopes, Santa Rita Do Sapucaí, Piumhi, Governador Valadares, Planura, Pompéu.
For the broader travel overview: Minas Gerais.
