Walking the narrow and steep slopes of Ouro Preto - which still maintains the original paving stones - is making a trip in time. Former capital of the province of Minas Gerais, Ouro Preto attracts tourists from all over Brazil and the world who want to know our history and religious art of Aleijadinho and Ataíde, in addition to local crafts and food typical of mining.
The city holds the title of Cultural Heritage of Humanity, awarded by UNESCO. That allowed the preservation of the days until today one of the richest collections of architectural country
Ouro Preto was an important economic and political pole in the eighteenth century, when huge amounts of gold were discovered in the mountains mining, generating great development in the region. The city also staged a major episode of Brazilian history: the Inconfidencia Mineira, in 1789, when Joaquim Jose da Silva Xavier (the Tiradentes) fought for the independence of Brazil, even colony of Portugal.
Today, the mansions, churches and palaces erected during the so-called cycle of gold are great museums of visitation, which are exposed objects of former residents. The houses that belonged to inconfidentes and baroque churches, ornadas with the more traditional gold rococo style, now house art and history.
And for those who are tired of the bath of culture and history and want a direct contact with nature, the Ouro Preto State Park offers the Itacolomi, with trails for hiking and several waterfalls on the outskirts.
Ouro Preto is a major tourist destinations of the State of Minas Gerais. On weekends and holidays extended the city is full of visitors. Excellent hotels emerged to meet the demand. In general reconcile the baroque splendour with the comforts and facilities of modern life.
In restaurants of the city, the authentic food mining - tutu, chicken with okra, beans tropeiro, sweet home - the French and Italian cooking are well represented.
Attractions
Churches
Mother Our Lady of the Pillar
The design of this church, considered one of the finest Baroque, is attributed to Peter Gomes Keys. The carving of the chapel-mor was executed by Francisco Xavier de Brito. The collection also includes magnificent carved wood covered with gold and more than four hundred carved angels. They were employed in their ornamentation around 400 kilos of gold and 400 silver.
Our Lady of Caramel
The project is Manoel Francisco Lisbon, father of Aleijadinho, and its construction was between 1766 and 1772. It was frequented by the aristocracy of Vila Rica.
Our Lady of the Rosary
It is a rare example of baroque mining, with its facade move. Its construction, begun in 1785, replaced the original chapel. In contrast to the external aspect, the interior is quite simple, with evocation of black saints.
St. Francis of Assisi
The most famous of Ouro Preto, is one of the most magnificent examples of Baroque mining. Its construction began in 1766. It is considered masterpiece of Aleijadinho, responsible for overall risk of the building, ported, before the main altar, altars and chapel-mor.
Mother Our Lady of Conception
Its construction has spread from 1727 to 1746. The design and implementation were to be borne by Manuel Francisco Lisbon, father of Aleijadinho. Both are buried in the church. It has annexed the Museum Aleijadinho.
San Francisco de Paula
Last church built in the colonial period, the construction was started in 1804. The image of the patron, which today is at the Museum Aleijadinho, is attributed to master. From its churchyard has a beautiful view of the city.
Santa Efigênia or Our Lady of the Rosary of the High Cross
Its construction took 60 years - between 1730 and 1790. He participated in the project Manuel Francisco Lisbon, and the carvings of the chapel-mor is authored by Francisco Xavier de Brito. It says the oral tradition that was built thanks to the gold mine of Encardideira, acquired by Chico King in front of stone watches are considered the oldest in the city.
Our Lady of Mercy and Mercy (Mercy of Cima)
Church built between 1771 and 1793. The tower project was central to Manuel Francisco de Araujo.
San Jose
He belonged to the brotherhood which brought together several artists. The risk of an altar of the chapel-mor and tower are Aleijadinho. It was built between 1730 and 1811.
Chapel St. John the Baptist
It is the oldest temple of Ouro Preto, built by determining the bandeirante Antonio Dias, in 1698.
Museums
House of Contos
Dating from 1782 to 1787, was built by Joao Rodrigues de Macedo, collecting taxes from the Capitania of Mines, who established housing and administration of their business. Served for various purposes, including prison for inconfidentes. Today houses the Center for Studies of Cycle Gold, the Museum of the Currency and the tax authorities and the Agency of Receita Federal de Ouro Preto, and a gallery.
Museum of Science and Technical of the School of Mines
Created in 1877, as the French Museum of Mineralogy Gorceix Claude Henri, founder of the School of Mines. In 1995 it was expanded and started to be named Museum of Science and Technical of the School of Mines. Nine sectors are already implemented: Natural History - zoology and paleontology - and Mining, Mineralogy, metallurgy, steel, design, topography, astronomy and Eletrotécnica. More than 30 thousand pieces come from all over the world.
Museum of Oratory
Headquartered in the former home of the novitiate, the museum brings together parts of different styles to recover the traditional religious customs of mining families.
Museum of the Inconfidencia
Construction started in 1784 by the City Council, during the government of Luis Cunha Menezes. The work was halted several times, so that the building was only ready in 1846. Served the municipal palace and chain. In 1944, inaugurated the museum, whose collection gathers documents and objects that evoke the Inconfidencia Mineira and various works of Historical and Artistic Heritage of Minas Gerais. There inconfidentes rest of the spoils. The museum also has an auditorium and Annex Room Manuel de Ataíde, for temporary exhibitions.
Shopping
The local crafts is rich in artifacts of stone-soap, as vases, ashtrays, door-jewelry, dishes and cups, and can be found in the city and in districts such as Santa Rita and Mata of Palm, on the outskirts of Ouro Preto. Another specialty of the region are the jewels of gold and precious stones, and in the rare imperial topaz. There are good shops, antiques and suvenires, as well as workshops for local artisans throughout the city. |
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