Located in southwestern Brazil, an hour and a half from Belo Horizonte, Ouro Preto is the ancient capital of Minas Gerais. This colonial city is worth a visit.
A colonial city lost between the mountains of Minas Gerais
Dating back to 1711, Ouro Preto (or "black gold" in English) is gradually built following the discovery by gold pioneers in the rivers of Minas Gerais. Many researchers and traders then settled in the "Vila Rica" to make their fortunes. In 1750, there were more inhabitants in Ouro Preto than in New York and Rio de Janeiro.
The Portuguese then colonized Ouro Preto. European culture is therefore very present in the art and architecture of this city.Many of the city's churches and museums trace the city's history through that of Brazil.
Ouro Preto is a colorful and colonial city, lost in the mountains of Minas Gerais. All up and down, Ouro Preto and its cobbled streets can be visited in one day (but it is possible and pleasant to spend a night there, in one of the many pousada of the small town).
What to do in Ouro Preto?
The churches of Ouro Preto are very visible when they are perched on the heights of the city. They stand out from the green landscape by their warm, yellow and red colors. Inside, the details of the ceilings and altars, very worked, will certainly strike you. Most churches are dedicated to a saint and often have an adjoining part serving as an explanatory museum. Be careful, most churches, if not all, charge an entrance fee (usually 5 reais).
The cobbled streets are lined with shops and jewelry shops, which sell stones and jewelry more beautiful than each other (but unfortunately at fairly high prices, like the gemstone market in France). The typical stone of Ouro Preto is pink, pale pink. Many of the jewelers speak French and will explain the differences between the stones they display and their stories.
You can visit the opera theater of Ouro Preto (2 reais if you are a student, 5 otherwise). It is a confined, charming and typical place. You can visit the parterre as well as the basket, the paradise, the balcony or the boxes.
To visit a mine, you will have to go to the tourist office which, in addition to providing you with a detailed map of the city, can book you a guide and / or a walk in the heart of the mines of Ouro Preto. Some guides also offer to take tourists to waterfalls, not far from the city. The journey can be done by quad, for thrill seekers. All information is to be collected from the tourist office, located in the most beautiful square of the city, Plaça Tiradentes.
Finally, whether arriving early in the morning in Ouro Preto, or for a snack, let yourself be tempted by one of the city's Chocolateria . Their chocolates are excellent and the choices very varied.
Ouro Preto is very easy to reach, both by car and bus. So you no longer have any excuse not to visit this pretty little town!
