Saudade: Cemetery, History and Sports

Saudade is a neighborhood of Belo Horizonte where two very different topics come together: the history behind Cemitério da Saudade and the municipal sports and leisure facilities at Praça da Saudade. The cemetery reflects the social issue of permanent burial plots, while the Polo Esportivo e de Lazer lists courses for different age groups. When planning your trip, you can distinguish between historical interest and organized sports.

Cemitério da Saudade and its history

Cemitério da Saudade is the second-oldest necropolis in Belo Horizonte. It was established in 1942 for residents in need who wanted a permanent burial plot but did not have access to Cemitério do Bonfim. Its place in the city’s history and the social purpose behind its founding give the cemetery two distinct historical points of reference.

A municipal notice from 2019 lists 32,000 graves, four wake rooms, and an area of 188,000 square meters. These figures may have changed since then. For travelers interested in the history of Belo Horizonte, the cemetery’s original purpose offers a perspective beyond its age: it identifies who a permanent burial plot was created for and the need it was intended to address.

Sports and recreation areas at Praça da Saudade

Praça da Saudade is also known as Praça Louis Braille. When it was renovated in 2019, the Futebol Society pitch received artificial turf. In addition, three multi-purpose sports courts were refurbished, one of them covered, along with gardens, seating areas, and changing rooms. The work carried out at the time therefore covered both sports facilities and garden and recreation areas.

The work described dates back to 2019. Before planning a specific visit, check the current access and use information for the facility.

Classes at the Polo Esportivo e de Lazer

The Polo Esportivo e de Lazer is located at Praça Louis Braille, also known as Praça da Saudade. A municipal webpage, updated on June 25, 2026, lists a capacity of 560 course places, with sessions offered in the morning and afternoon. The course capacity and times provide a concrete outline of the sports program, but do not guarantee any particular current program.

For children and young people aged 6 to 17, the webpage lists basketball, boxing, capoeira, futsal, Futebol Society, rhythmic gymnastics, basic sports training, and volleyball. The remaining course places are reserved for adults; the courses listed for them are boxing, dance, futsal, and functional fitness. The offerings therefore differ both by age group and by the sports listed.

If you would like to include a class in your travel plans, check the current program: course offerings may change. If you are traveling with children or young people, you can compare their ages with the stated age range of 6 to 17. Adults have course places allocated for them too, but their options may also change.

What interests shape your trip?

When looking for a vacation rental in Saudade, you could start by considering which topic matters more for your stay: the city’s history around Cemitério da Saudade or the municipal sports facilities at Praça da Saudade. These offer different starting points for planning your trip. If taking a class is part of your plans, base them on the current program; for a historical perspective, the cemetery’s origins are the main focus.

Discover more destinations

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For the main travel overview: Minas Gerais.