The building was designed by Pedro Gomes Chaves and completed in 1787 for the tax collector João Rodrigues de Macedo.
It served as the administrative headquarters for the collection of the 'quinto', the 20% tax on gold mined in the region.
The ground floor retains the original prison cells used to detain individuals involved in the Inconfidência Mineira, an 18th-century revolutionary movement.
The property is one of the few examples of a complete colonial town house that integrates residence, administrative offices, and detention facilities.
The museum holds an extensive numismatic collection documenting the evolution of currency in Brazil from the colonial period to the present.
The internal courtyard maintains stone paving original to the 18th century.
The building's architecture reflects the transition between late Baroque and early Neoclassical styles prominent in Ouro Preto.
Casa dos Contos is a significant 18th-century colonial building that once served as the regional treasury and administration center for the Brazilian Gold Cycle. It currently functions as a museum under the Brazilian Ministry of Finance, housing collections related to the history of Brazilian currency, fiscal administration, and local colonial life. The structure features rare original architectural elements, including a basement that formerly served as a prison for enslaved people and political dissidents. Exhibits display historical coins, bank notes, and mining equipment used during the 1700s. The site remains a pivotal landmark for understanding the tax system imposed by the Portuguese Crown in Minas Gerais.
The internal courtyard, framed by the stone archways and historical ironwork of the central staircase.
Visit the basement area to view the historical prison cells, which provide the most sobering and impactful perspective of the site.
The museum is built on a steep slope, so wear sturdy, comfortable walking shoes to navigate the stone floors and stairs.
Check the internal upper floor galleries, as they often host rotating temporary art or historical photography exhibits.
Do not attempt to arrive by car, as the historic center of Ouro Preto has extremely narrow, steep, and restricted-access streets.
Closed on Mondays.
Maintain a quiet volume; photography without flash is permitted in most areas.
