#theblackgoldcity
Ouro Preto
Tiradentes
One of the most beautiful and homogeneous baroque collection of Minas Gerais
There is history, culture, religiosity, nature and gastronomy. Tiradentes is a mixture of the flavors from Minas Gerais. One of the most charming historic cities of the state; to walk through its streets is to try out a taste of the past. Thanks to its rich historic heritage, the city is usually chosen as a film set for the recording of films and miniseries from that period.
The city calendar full of events makes sure the visitor has a good reason to come back. Besides the traditional street carnival and the Holy week, highlights for the Cinema Festival, in January; Harley-Davidson Admirers Meeting in July and the Gastronomic Festival in August.
It is the right destination for those who wish to gain knowledge about history, colonial art and the cuisine from Minas Gerais. A place to fall in love with.
Mariana
The first Capital of Minas.
The first town, first bishopric and first capital of Minas Gerais, Mariana is one of the most important historic cities in Brazil and the first and only city in the colonial period with urban layout designed. Along with Ouro Preto, it owns one of the most beautiful architectural complexes of Minas Gerais Baroque.
Its charm is incomparable. Cobblestone streets and historic monuments, squares well preserved, highlight a strong cultural heritage, expressed in arts and traditions. Rua Direita is considered the most beautiful in Minas Gerais and the city stands the imposing colonial urban architecture.
Ouro Preto
When the Bandeirantes found gold in the region of Itacolomi (the mountain that dominates Ouro Preto) at the end of the 17th century, they unleashed a veritable multitude of immigrants in search of the legendary Eldorado. Paulistas (the people from São Paulo State), Northeasterners and recently-arrived Portuguese all founded small mining camps, with accompanying small chapels, in various parts of the region. These camps were united in 1711, under the name of Vila Rica de Albuquerque, today Ouro Preto (black gold). At the time, Vila Rica was divided in two parishes. The piety of settlers caused them to form lay brotherhoods, which, with their own resourses, sponsored the religious festivals and the priests. Divided in associations of white, mulattoes and blacks, in accordance with their statutes, they constructed an impressive number of Baroque and Rococo churches in Minas Gerais.
