Ouro Preto
Table of Contents: Culture and History / Travel to Ouro Preto, visa requirements Buses to Ouro Preto / Get around / On foot / Ouro Preto attractions and sightseeing / Museums / Churches / Mines / City.C2.B4s Lookout point / Itacolomi Park / Other locations / City tours / Shopping, Ouro Preto souvenirs / Good restaurants and cheap meals / Ouro Preto nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs. / Hotels, youth hostels, lodging / Budget / Mid-range / Splurge / Contact / Get out More from Minas Gerais: Belo Horizonte, Congonhas, Diamantina, Ouro Preto, São João del Rei, Tiradentes More from Southeast (Brazil): Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro (state), São Paulo More from Brazil: Central West (Brazil), Northeast (Brazil), North (Brazil), Southeast (Brazil), South (Brazil) More from South America: Amazonia, Andes, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, Guyana, Los Roques, Pantanal, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Tierra del Fuego, Uruguay, Venezuela |
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.
Culture and History
Before diving into Ouro Preto´s history, the traveller must be aware that filming or taking picture inside museums and churches is not allowed.
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 Inconfidência Mineira, the first attempted uprising in the cause of independence, in 1789.
Travel to Ouro Preto, visa requirements
Buses to Ouro Preto
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.
Ouro Preto attractions and sightseeing
- 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.
Museums
- Casa dos Contos
- Museu da Independência
- Museu de Mineralogia
Churches
- Igreja do Pilar
- Igreja Nossa Senhora do Carmo
Mines
- Mina da Passagem
- Mina Velha (Old Mine)
City´s Lookout point
Itacolomi Park
Other locations
- Cachoeira do Brumado
City tours
Shopping, Ouro Preto souvenirs
Good restaurants and cheap meals
- Restaurante Máximus Colonial, Rua Direita, 151 - Centro, Phone: (31) 9914-1209
Ouro Preto nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
- Booze Bar Café, Rua Direita 42, (31) 3551-1482. Located just off the square, with live music.
- Restaurante Casa do Ouvidor Rua Conde de Bobadella 42. Ph. (31) 3551-2141,(most knew as Rua Direita). Most of Minas Gerais state regional cuisine, such as tutu a mineira , frango with quiabo or ora pro nóbis. Major credit and debit cards accepted.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
Budget
- Brumas Hostel (Youth Hostel), Rua Padre José Marcus Penna, 68 - Ouro Preto - Minas Gerais - Brazil
- Student Houses, The city has a big university and is full of students houses, known as (Republicas). They often rent a room with low prices for tourists.
Mid-range
Splurge
Contact
Get out
More from Minas Gerais: Belo Horizonte, Congonhas, Diamantina, Ouro Preto, São João del Rei, Tiradentes More from Southeast (Brazil): Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro (state), São Paulo More from Brazil: Central West (Brazil), Northeast (Brazil), North (Brazil), Southeast (Brazil), South (Brazil) More from South America: Amazonia, Andes, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, Guyana, Los Roques, Pantanal, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Tierra del Fuego, Uruguay, Venezuela |
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