Besides being mineral-rich, Ouro Preto is home to some of the most well-preserved Brazilian Baroque style buildings. Many of these are churches and a famous Brazilian sculptor and architect, Aleijadinho, has many of his works in this city. Historically, Ouro Preto is also important because it was the site of a failed revolution (Inconfidência Mineira) against the Portuguese colonial rule in 1789.
Ouro Preto would not exist had it not been for the discovery of gold in the area. Therefore, the mineral rich mountains of the area helped the city economically thrive during the gold rush, despite still being under colonial rule for much of that time. Today, because of the recognition of the city's historical value, tourism helps support the economy. Part of this impact comes from Ouro Preto being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which helps expand knowledge about Ouro Preto and attract more international tourists.
A big challenge that Ouro Preto faces is reconciliation with its violent past. Many people who were forcibly taken from Africa and enslaved in Brazil were forced to work in the mines that made the city so rich. Therefore, it can be difficult to appreciate the historical value of the city knowing it all comes from mining done by people who were enslaved.
A natural challenge the city faces are the mines themselves. It is estimated that just the historical downtown of Ouro Preto is built on top of an estimated 450 mines and the whole city sits above about 900 mines.
