Ouro Preto: Colonial Architecture
Ouro Preto was founded in the early 18th century. It was built on rocky ground and declared a national monument in 1933. It is the masterpiece of colonial architecture in Brazil with fountains, churches, ruins and towers shining with colored tiles. Centre of the gold fever in the 18th century, gold mines and colonial architecture. Ouro Preto's baroque architecture can be viewed upon as typical of that era.
What can we do there?
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Walking City Tour
Duration: 6 hours
Ouro Preto was founded in 1711 and soon became the center of the gold, diamond and semi-precious stone trading in the colonial-era. The town has managed to preserve across the years its 18th century architecture, which offers visitors a first-hand look of its historical heritages. The city is considered today by UNESCO as a Historical and Cultural Patrimony of Mankind. Tour Sightseeing: * São Francisco de Assis Church * Museum of the School of Mines * Church of Our Lady of the Pilar * Oratorio Museum * Opera House
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Mariana with Gold Mine and Train Tour
Duration: 8 hours
In this tour we will take a train, known as the \"Maria Fumaça\", a 19th century steam train, from Ouro Preto until Mariana, also known as the “Enchanted City” which was founded in 1696 and was for a short time, the capital of Minas Gerais. The town originally called the “Royal Village of Our Lady of Carmel” received its present name “Mariana” in 1745 in honor of the Queen Maria Ana. On this tour we will walk down the picturesque streets to see houses that date back to the beginning of the 18th century, with balconies of wood, iron and soapstone. From Minas Gerais Square, we will visit the St. Francis of Assis Church known for its intricately sculpted door, the Our Lady of Carmel Church, the City Hall and the Pillory.
After that, we will visit the oldest gold mine in Brazil, \"Mina da Passagem\", which keeps secrets and mysteries that enchant everyone. A trolley drives us to the underground galleries, that reach 315 meters of width and 120 meters of depth. The natural lake inside the mine impresses everyone who sees it. Since its foundation - in the beginning of the XVIII century - approximately 35 tons of gold have been extracted.
The return to Ouro Preto will be done by car.
The train from Ouro Preto to Mariana is available from Friday to Sunday and National Holidays only.
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Ouro Preto & Mariana with Lunch
Duration: 8 hours
Ouro Preto was founded in 1711 and soon became the center of the gold diamond and semi-precious stone trading in the colonial-era. The town has managed to preserve across the years its 18th century architecture, which offers visitors a first-hand look of its historical heritages. The city is considered today by UNESCO as a Historical and Cultural Patrimony of Mankind. Sightseeing: * São Francisco de Assis Church * Museum of the School of Mines * Church of Our Lady of the Pilar * Opera House Taste the typical dishes of the region: Feijão Tropeiro and Tutu a Mineira. Lunch will be served at Casa dos Deguste Restaurant (Regional buffet food). After lunch we will continue the tour to Mariana, also known as the “Enchanted City”, which was founded in 1696 and was for a short time, the capital of Minas Gerais. The town originally called the “Royal Village of Our Lady of Carmel” received its present name “Mariana” in 1745 in honor of the Queen Maria Ana. On this tour we will walk down the picturesque streets to see houses that date back to the beginning of the 18th century, with balconies of wood, iron and soapstone. In Minas Gerais Square, we will visit the St. Francis of Assis Church known for its intricately sculpted door, the Our Lady of Carmel Church, the City Hall and the Pillory.