Lagoa da Pampulha is one of Belo Horizonte's most iconic landmarks and the centerpiece of the Pampulha Modern Ensemble, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2016. Created in the 1940s as part of an urban development project led by Juscelino Kubitschek and featuring works by architect Oscar Niemeyer and landscape designer Roberto Burle Marx, becoming a symbol of Brazilian modernist architecture.
The lagoon offers walking and cycling paths, outdoor recreation and access to major cultural attractions, including São Francisco de Assis Church, Casa do Baile, Museu de Arte da Pampulha, and Casa Kubitschek. What makes Lagoa da Pampulha unique is the combination of natural beauty, historic significance, and world-renowned modernist architecture, making it one of the main postcards from Belo Horizonte.