Ouro Preto

From MaxTravelz

The Museu da Inconfidéncia
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The Museu da Inconfidéncia

Ouro Preto, in the state of Minas Gerais, is one of Brazil's best-preserved colonial towns and a UNESCO world heritage site. Among other historical and colonial cities of Minas Gerais (Tiradentes, São João del Rei, Mariana and Diamantina), Ouro Preto is one of the most popular travel destinations in Brazil.

Contents

Understand

Ouro Preto, meaning "black gold" had its heyday in the early 18th century, and was the capital of Minas Gerais until 1897. Its churches are notable not just for their architecture but also for the carved sculptures of Aleijadinho, one of Brazil's most celebrated artists.

The town also holds a significant place in Brazilian history, being the site of the Inconfidéncia Mineira, the first attempted uprising in the cause of independence, in 1789.

Get in

By bus

Ouro Preto is about two hours by bus from Belo Horizonte. The rodoviária is on the northwestern edge of town.

Get around

On foot

The town's small size and steep hills make walking the most convenient way of getting around.

See

  • Praça Tiradentes lies at the center of town. On the north side of the square is the Escolas de Minas (School of Mines), with a museum of mineralogy. On the south side is the Museu da Inconfidência.

Churches

The preserved colonial churches are Ouro Preto's greatest attractions.

  • Igreja da Nosso Senhora das Mercês e Misercordia, north of Praça Tiradentes.
  • Igreja da Nosso Senhora do Carmo
  • Igreja de São José
  • Igreja de São Francisco de Assis

Do

Learn

Work

Buy

Eat

Budget

Mid-range

Splurge

Drink

  • Booze Bar Café, Rua Direita 42, 551-1482. Located just off the square, with live music.

Sleep

Budget

  • Student Houses, The city has a big university and is full of students houses. They often rent a room with low prices for tourists.
  • Hotel Pilão, Praca Tiradentes 51. Inexpensive, with several rooms facing the square.

Mid-range

Splurge

Contact

Stay safe

Cope

Get out


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