A Race Against Time to Save a Landmark
Friday, October 2, 2026, became a day of high alert in Nova Lima, Minas Gerais. The Bicame Aqueduct, a crown jewel of Brazilian historical heritage, had to be urgently closed after a severe storm battered the region, compromising the stability of its ancient structure.
Immediate Safety Measures
The local municipality detected a critical shift in the monument's base, triggering an immediate security protocol. To guarantee the safety of the population, the following actions were reported:
- Preventive Evacuation: 11 nearby properties were evacuated due to the risk of collapse.
- Administrative Closure: The headquarters of the Municipal Secretariat of Education had to close its doors.
- Technical Intervention: Rapid deployment of Civil Defense and the Fire Department.
Did you know?
The rescue operation was so complex that firefighters had to use a munck truck (a specialized crane truck) to remove a large advertising banner that had been swept away by the wind and trapped in the structure's gutter.
The operation also counted on the support of the mining company AngloGold Ashanti, the entity responsible for the maintenance of this massive iron and stone giant.
A Legacy at Risk: The History of Bicame
For those unfamiliar with the region, an aqueduct is an artificial channel used to transport water from a remote source to a destination. Built in 1890 with English inspiration, this specific structure was originally designed to transport water for mining activities. While it is no longer active, it is a "tombado" site—a Brazilian legal term meaning it is officially recognized as a protected cultural heritage site.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Year of Construction | 1890 |
| Architectural Style | English Inspiration |
| Last Major Restoration | 2024 (completed over 9 months) |
| Recent Improvements | Wood replacement, metal treatment, and painting |
Currently, Civil Defense is working around the clock to evaluate the technical causes of the shift and determine if the 2024 restoration suffered irreversible structural damage. We remain hopeful for the preservation of this historic treasure!
Source: IMAGO