Historic Centre of the Town of Goiás


World Heritage Identification Number: 993

World Heritage since: 2001

Category: Cultural Heritage

Transboundary Heritage: No

Endangered Heritage: No

Country: 🇧🇷 Brazil

Continent: Americas

UNESCO World Region: Latin America and the Caribbean

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The Historic Centre of the Town of Goiás: A Testimony to Colonial Brazil

The Historic Centre of the Town of Goiás, located in the state of Goiás in Brazil, stands as a significant reminder of the colonization and settlement of central Brazil during the 18th and 19th centuries. This historic town center was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001, acknowledging its unique architectural, cultural, and historical value.

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UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

Goiás testifies to the occupation and colonization of the lands of central Brazil in the 18th and 19th centuries. The urban layout is an example of the organic development of a mining town, adapted to the conditions of the site. Although modest, both public and private architecture form a harmonious whole, thanks to the coherent use of local materials and vernacular techniques.

UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site

Criterion ii: In its layout and architecture the historic town of Goiás is an outstanding example of a European town admirably adapted to the climatic, geographical and cultural constraints of central South America.

Criterion iv: Goiás represents the evolution of a form of urban structure and architecture characteristic of the colonial settlement of South America, making full use of local materials and techniques and conserving its exceptional setting.

Encyclopedia Record: Goiás, Goiás

Goiás is a municipality in the state of Goiás in Brazil. Its population was 22,381 and its area is 3,108 km2. It is the former capital of the state and preserves much of its colonial heritage. In 2002, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Additional Site Details

Area: 40.3 hectares

UNESCO Criteria: (ii) — Significant interchange of human values
(iv) — Outstanding example of a type of building or landscape

Coordinates: -15.934231 , -50.140164

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Image of Historic Centre of the Town of Goiás

© Josue Marinho, CC BY 3.0 Resized from original.

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Nearby World Heritage Sites

Brasilia
240 km — Brazil
Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks
340 km — Brazil
Peruaçu River Canyon
643 km — Brazil
Historic Centre of the Town of Diamantina
741 km — Brazil
Pampulha Modern Ensemble
784 km — Brazil

Country Information: Brazil

Flag of Brazil

Official Name: Federative Republic of Brazil

Capital: Brasília

Continent: Americas

Population (2024): 211,998,573

Population (2023): 211,140,729

Population (2022): 210,306,415

Land Area: 8,358,140 sq km

Currency: Brazilian real (BRL)

Country Data Sources

Last updated: January 18, 2026

Portions of the page Historic Centre of the Town of Goiás are based on data from UNESCO — World Heritage List Dataset and on text from the Wikipedia article Goiás, Goiás, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Changes made. Additional original content by World Heritage Explorer (WHE), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. WHE is not affiliated with UNESCO or the World Heritage Committee. Legal Notice. Privacy Policy.

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