More than just taking a trip to enjoy a break, people have been looking for itineraries that provide a complete experience that includes relaxation, beautiful landscapes, good cuisine and tourist attractions to visit.
Bringing together all these characteristics, one of the national destinations that receive a large number of visits every year are the historic cities of Minas Gerais.
Featuring a variety of places to visit, one of the most traditional and delicious cuisines in the country and a population extremely receptive to tourists, traveling through Minas Gerais is like going back in time and being enchanted by the history of Brazil.
With very affordable accommodation options and the possibility of purchasing tickets with miles, a trip to the state is an excellent option for those who want to enjoy a lot and spend little.
We made a list of five recommendations for historic cities to visit in Minas Gerais. Check out:
Black gold
One of the main destinations chosen by tourists visiting the state, Ouro Preto keeps in its streets a large part of Brazilian history from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Former capital of Minas Gerais and maximum symbol of the gold cycle, the city was once the largest population agglomeration in Latin America.
Part of the country’s history is told in the streets and monuments found by tourists who visit the city.
There are sumptuous churches, beautiful mansions, colonial cobblestone streets and gold mines that preserve part of Brazil in the 18th century.
A good suggestion for visitors is to explore the city on foot, seeing the tourist attractions and fully immersing themselves in the city’s colonial atmosphere.
Among the notable tourist attractions are the Inconfidência Museum, the Igreja Matriz de NS do Pilar, the Igreja São Francisco de Assis, the Oratório Museum and the Santa Rita Gold Mine.
These are some of the itinerary options for visitors, in addition, of course, to the excellent restaurants serving Minas Gerais and contemporary food.
If you are coming from far away, an excellent tip is to look for tickets to Belo Horizonte, as Ouro Preto is only 100 km away from the capital of Minas Gerais.
Furthermore, if you are going to stay in the region for a while longer, you can take advantage of the trip to visit other surrounding cities, such as Mariana, Congonhas and also the famous Instituto Inhotim, located in Brumadinho.
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Tiradentes
Providing a complete immersion in the lifestyle of 18th century Colonial Brazil, Tiradentes is one of the historic cities in Minas that most stand out among the state’s tourist itineraries.
Unlike other cities, such as Ouro Preto and São João Del-Rei, where current urban centers mix with old buildings, Tiradentes preserves colonial mansions and monuments in a unique way.
The city of Minas Gerais provides an encounter with history, good gastronomy, crafts, ecotourism and cultural events that stimulate the national cinema and photography scene.
With a unique charm, it is possible to stay in inns built in old colonial mansions for an affordable price.
Among the tourist attractions that stand out in the city are:
– Rua Direita,
– the Sant’Ana Museum, built in the old building of the city’s public prison;
– the Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário, one of the oldest in the city, founded in 1708;
– the Matrix of Santo Antônio, with a breathtaking decoration, where almost 500 kilos of gold were used;
– and the São José Fountain, formerly used by the city’s population to collect drinking water.
Congonhas
Known for its large celebrations of religious events, such as Holy Week, the Jubilee of Senhor Bom Jesus de Matozinhos and Congado, Congonhas is one of those cities in Minas Gerais that preserves with great tradition the Minas Gerais customs of receptivity, good cuisine and local crafts.
Known as the “city of prophets”, Congonhas offers, among its tourist attractions, one of the most famous historical and artistic monuments in the country: the Baroque Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos.
The series of twelve prophets carved in soapstone at the entrance to the church of Senhor Bom Jesus – produced during the 18th and 19th centuries by masters of Brazilian Baroque, such as Aleijadinho and Manuel da Costa Ataíde – enchant any visitor due to the perfection of the sculptures.
The historic complex is a listed asset by IPHAN and, since 1985, considered a Historical and Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
In Congonhas, it is also possible to visit the six chapels known as Jardim dos Passos, which represents the Via Sacra and is made up of 66 cedar images carved by Aleijadinho.
Furthermore, it is worth visiting the Pilgrimage, Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Igreja do Rosário, Museum of Image and Memory and Parque da Cachoeira.
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São João del Rei
São João Del-Rei was one of the most important cities in the state during the period of gold extraction in Colonial Brazil.
This relevance is demonstrated in the opulence and beauty of the historic buildings that have been very well preserved to this day.
In the city’s streets and monuments, it is possible to find valuable cultural and artistic heritage from the Brazilian colonial period.
As a city that developed economically through activities other than tourism, São João Del-Rei has an urban center around historical buildings, which makes the experience of visiting the city very different.
Among the traditional movement of people who work and live in the municipality, there are sumptuous colonial buildings.
Among the city’s tourist attractions, the Church of São Francisco de Assis stands out; the Nossa Senhora do Pilar Cathedral and the modern Tancredo Neves Memorial, which, using digital resources, tells the story of the former president.
One of the most charming attractions of São João Del-Rei is the walk from Maria Fumaça to the neighboring city of Tiradentes, where you can admire the beautiful landscape of the São José mountain range.
The journey takes around half an hour.
There are two daily departures from Wednesday to Saturday, and one on Sunday.
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Diamond
Home to great names in national history, such as Chica da Silva and President Juscelino Kubitschek, Diamantina is listed as a World Heritage Site.
The city that is part of the Estrada Real circuit has among its beauties a beautiful architectural complex and churches that faithfully portray the richness of Baroque art in Brazil.
In addition to its historical tourist attractions, such as the Nossa Senhora da Luz Chapel and the Antiga Casa da Intendência, Diamantina is famous for the cultural events that liven up the region and entertain tourists who visit the city.
If you are going to visit Diamantina, it is essential to attend one of the editions of the serenades and Vesperata, an event in which musicians perform at night, outdoors, in the windows and balconies of old mansions.
Another place that attracts a lot of attention in Diamantina is the Municipal Market, which for many years was a drovers’ ranch and currently hosts the annual Rural Producers and Crafts Fair.
Diamantina also offers options for ecotourism activities in its beautiful landscapes and the opportunity to taste delicacies from Minas Gerais cuisine in the city’s traditional restaurants.
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