Varginha can be explored through several distinctly different themes: the ET shape of a water structure, a memorial with a planetarium, eclectic theater details and nature across two parks. Choosing a focus for your stay can start with a simple question: would you like to combine cultural and architectural themes, or focus on park landscapes and trails? Each place offers a different perspective and a range of ways to plan your days.

ET motifs between structures and cultural heritage

Nave do ET is a water reservoir whose exterior was designed to resemble a flying saucer. Its design brings together the reservoir’s function and an unusual motif. This connection offers a particularly tangible way to explore Varginha’s architecture: the ET image forms part of the exterior of a structure with a clearly defined purpose.

The ET incident is also present as a cultural theme in Varginha. “O Caso do E.T. e a Identidade Varginhense” was listed as cultural heritage of Varginha; the listing was ratified on June 5, 2023. The title explicitly connects the ET incident with Varginha’s identity. Together with the Nave, the local ET connection thus ranges from a designed facade to a listed cultural heritage theme.

The Memorial do ET was inaugurated on November 9, 2022, and includes a planetarium that shows educational and cultural films. Here, the specific focus is on films in a planetarium, which is different from the Nave’s exterior design. Schools or groups must register for a visit by calling (35) 3690-2066; arrange this before your trip.

Theater architecture and park history

The Theatro Municipal Capitólio offers another architectural perspective. Decorative elements on the facade and inside are characteristic of the eclectic period and are attributed to the Italian artist Alexandre Valatti. Compared with the Nave, both the motif and the design are different: there, the shape of a flying saucer defines the exterior; at the Theatro, the eclectic elements and their attribution are the focus. This makes it possible to explore different aspects of Varginha’s architecture without reducing the buildings to the same style or theme.

Parque Zoobotânico Municipal Dr. Mário Frota combines nature with a distinctive founding story. It was founded in 1963 to house the animals of the financially struggling Gran Circo Africano. A municipal description from 2026 lists recreation, environmental education and wildlife protection among the park’s functions. Its founding story explains its origins, while the description highlights a different aspect of its significance. The park thus represents a unique combination of history, wildlife and environmental education.

Green trails in Parque Novo Horizonte

Parque Novo Horizonte adds an area with permanent protected status to the nature themes; it includes a spring and the surrounding forest vegetation. There is also a hiking trail that runs along a large central lake fed by a spring. The park thus combines landscape conservation with a specific way to explore the lake on foot. If you’d like to give nature and culture different weight during your stay, these contrasts can help you choose a theme: on one side are architecture, theater and cultural heritage; on the other, park landscapes, wildlife and a trail by the water.

Discover more destinations: Nova Serrana, Diamantina, Muriaé, Minduri, Furnas, Caeté, Alto Caparaó, Santana de Pirapama.

For the broader travel overview: Minas Gerais.