In the Céu Azul neighborhood, in Venda Nova, Praça José Jeremias de Mesquita is better known as Praça Madonna, thanks to the great impact of a bar that paid homage to the pop singer.
Currently, the only direct reference to Madonna that remains in the square is a worn-out graffiti, evoking memories of the bar’s golden era, opened in the 90s in Belo Horizonte.
The bar that defined an era
Between 1992 and 1993, the bar not only served as a meeting place for pop music fans, but also played a key role in promoting local events and festivities.
Despite its short operation, coinciding with Madonna’s first visit to Brazil, the bar left a mark on the community by boosting culture and socialization in the neighborhood.
Over the years, Praça Madonna has become a vital cultural space for the Céu Azul neighborhood. Hosting new bars, live shows, carnival parades and other cultural events, the square continued to be an essential meeting point for the community.
Abandonment of the square
In August 2017, the lack of maintenance of the square led to a technical visit by the Environment and Urban Policy Commission of the Belo Horizonte City Council.
This led to commitments from the Executive to develop an architectural and landscape project, culminating in recent renovations that transformed the space to better meet the needs of the local community.
Renovation and inauguration
On the 28th, the square was revitalized and handed over to the population, with new facilities such as benches, an outdoor gym and social spaces. Councilor Wagner Ferreira even published a video about the inauguration of the public space.
Live broadcast of Madonna’s concert in BH
For Madonna fans in Belo Horizonte who have chosen not to travel to see the show live, the Andaluz bar in Santa Tereza offers an attractive alternative. On the day of the show, there will be a Live broadcast of the event, with free entry for anyone who arrives before midnight.
