Ouro Preto: problems of a historical heritage at the start of the century

Abstract

Ouro Preto was the first Brazilian icon to receive the title of Cultural Heritage of Humanity of the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization - UNESCO. However, the built heritage of the city has been going through a series of difficulties in terms of preservation. This article gives an overview of these problems, through a historical look at the events that have taken place in the city in recent years. It discusses the specific characteristics of this joint urban, federal and municipal management, the lack of commitment on the part of some sectors of the population, the fire hazards, the theft of sacred works of art, and the consequences for the heritage, in a context of urban development which has favored major population centers. The information used in the reflection was obtained through participant observation and research and academic articles, as well as journalistic articles about the city. The final product is presented in the form of a social-anthropological chronicle, consisting of an interface in which resources of interpretation, pointed out by authors from various branches of academic knowledge, were harmonized. The conclusion points out a series of measures necessary to preserve the national historical sites. The article as a whole presents a generalization in that the situation of Ouro Preto portrays the problems of the majority of these sites. Key words: Ouro Preto, Cultural Heritage, Preservation.